A belated but welcome response by the Archdiocese of Toronto and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board to news that the recently deceased Father James Roth OSFS was a child molester. Father Roth, you will recall, was an American priest who, as a member of the Oblates of St. Francis De Sales, has served in the Archdiocese of Toronto) since 2014. Shorty before his untimely death 11 February a man had come forward alleging sex abuse at the age if nine at the hands of Father Roth about 14 years ago. Roth, a diabetic who died of an overdose of insulin (suicide?), left a note admitting that he had sexually abused the boy.
Now, thanks to an article in the Toronto Star, we know that on 20 January 2015 the victim’s lawyer informed both the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board and the Archdiocese of Toronto of the allegations. Then, on 22 January Roth was quietly suspended and shipped back to the States. Quietly. Not a boo to Catholics. Not a boo to staff. No a boo to the general public.
After Father Roth’s 11 February 2015 death the Archdiocese did post a notice of his death on Facebook. Still not a boo that the priest who had served in the Archdiocese for more than 10 years was a self-confessed molester! Silence. Absolute silence. Mum’s the word.
Here’s the l article in the Toronto Star:
10 April 2015: Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board Statement regarding the late Father James Roth
And now – Hallelujah! – statements from both the Archdiocese and Dufferin Peel Catholic board are posted on their respective websites:
09 April 2015: Archdiocese of Toronto Statement regarding Father James Roth, O.S.F.S.
10 April 2015: Dufferin-Peel school priest confessed to sex assault in U.S.
I have a little more information to post on this. Time to get supper together. I will come back to this later.
Enough for now,
Sylvia