Another name is being added to the list of Accused: Father Bill Moloney, a priest with the Diocese of Peterborough, Ontario, ordained 1983, is under investigation by the OPP for allegations of sexual abuse at Camp Northern Light dating to the 1980s.
The priest has been places on administrative leave and has stepped aside as director and chairman of the board of directors at Camp Northern Lights.
I commend the complainant for contacting police and encourage anyone with allegations against Father Bill Moloney to contact police.
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Peterborough priest Rev. Bill Moloney placed on administrative leave over sexual misconduct allegations
The Peterborough Examiner
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 1:14:41 EST AM
Rev. Bill Moloney. Peterborough Examiner file photo
A Peterborough Catholic priest is under police investigation for sexual misconduct that allegedly took place in the 1980s, at the summer camp where he was the long-time director.
Rev. Bill Moloney has been put on leave from his job as priest at Immaculate Conception Church on Rogers St. in East City.
He’s also stepped down from the directorship of Camp Northern Lights in Haliburton, a camp for kids aged nine to 13 that was founded in the 1970s by the Knights of Columbus.
Moloney is also known as the chaplain at three schools: St. Peter’s Secondary School, and Immaculate Conception and Monsignor O’Donoghue elementary schools.
Deirdre Thomas, a spokeswoman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough, said Moloney has been put on administrative leave.
“The church takes allegations seriously – and is following policy,” she said.
The congregation at Immaculate Conception Church heard about the police investigation from the bishop this weekend.
Bishop William McGrattan conducted the services, in Moloney’s sudden absence.
McGrattan told churchgoers about the allegations, which he said purportedly stem back to camp in the 1980s.
But the allegations weren’t new to insiders at the Catholic diocese.
Thomas said that five years ago, a third party came to the diocese with accusations against Moloney.
Yet the alleged victim didn’t want to speak to police or to the worker who would have investigated for the church, Thomas said.
Now that alleged victim has spoked to the OPP, said Thomas, and the diocese is cooperating fully with the police investigation.
In the meantime, another priest has taken on duties at Immaculate Conception Church: Rev. Peter Seabrooke is in charge.
At Camp Northern Lights, Jim Gibson has taken over Moloney’s job as director and chairman of the board of directors.
Although he didn’t want to comment, Gibson released this statement:
“The board of directors of Camp Northern Lights is aware of an allegation of sexual misconduct currently under investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police against Fr. Bill Moloney, chairman/director for Camp Northern Lights.
In support of the camp – and not to distract from its mission – Fr. Moloney has stepped aside from his role as chairman and camp director and will take a leave as per camp policy, pending the outcome of the investigation. The board is not prepared to comment further during this time of investigation and is cooperating fully with the Ontario Provincial Police.”
As soon as all available information has been rounded up on a new page I will let you know.
I will also get that information promised on Father Levi Noel posted by day’s end.
Enough for now,
Sylvia
This is not fair he would of never do something like this my mom want to this camp and I go to this camp and I love the camp. He is so nice be called me red because my mom was called rad and my hire is red. But he would of never do something like this. If this little boy keeled it in for 5 years then it is most likely a lie. Do you know how many kids go to this camp and love this camp and you just take it away just like that wow.
Valerie – this site has not “taken it all away just like that”!
WOW! If you will read the article a little more thoroughly you will see that the Ontario Provincial Police are investigating this matter. Sylvia’s is just reporting the facts as they come out. Mike.
Valerie – further to this, perhaps you should call the Ontario Provincial Police and advise THEM that this is all a big lie.
I am sure they will listen to you. Mike
Northern Lights was a highlighted chapter in the big book of childhood memories. I can still hear the jolly laughter around the camp fire as Father Bill would sing “Hey La-Dee”. I 100% agree that this type of “allegation” (true or not) should ALWAYS be taken seriously. Glad to see the camp has acted / complied accordingly during such times. It will certainly be interesting to hear the final verdict. Thanks and keep us posted Sylvia!
I attended Camp Northern Lights back in the 1980’s. Fr. Bill was always Christ-like and exemplary in the way he conducted himself with us (campers). I hope these allegations are not true. For my own part, I never experienced any such thing from him. Just a good man. Let’s pray these allegations are not true. If they are true, however, then may God bring healing to the victims and justice to the perpetrator.