Stephen G. Amesse
Father Stephen Amesse
Father Steve Amesse
“Father Steve”
02 May 2017: ACQUITTED
Priest, Archdiocese of Ottawa. Former Senate Research Assistant and late vocation to the priesthood. Ordained 10 April 1999 at age 41.
As a layman was a “collaborator” for From Pain to Hope, the CCCB’s 1992 sex abuse guidelines. Amesse was in a working group chaired by Canon Law guru Father Frank Morrissey omi ; included in that working group were convicted molester Father Peter O’Hanley and Jeff King, then a layman and lawyer who would, at the age of 58, be ordained alongside Amesse in 1999. Also involved in the compilation of the guidelines was a Jesuit priest Father Terrence Prendergast , then a professor at Regis College in Toronto’s St. Michael’s University, now Archbishop of Ottawa.
Father Amese was active in the Liberal Party of Canada. He worked on parliament Hill for Industry Minister John Manley, Ontario Liberal Senator Anne Cools and Ontario Liberal MP Brenda Chamberlain. During the 1993 federal election he campaigned for Liberal MP Peter Milliken.
Served as spiritual director to the Ottawa Archdiocese Challenge movement (Challenge is a weekend retreat for young people, usually over age 16)
Active in local schools, including Sacred Heart High School and elementary schools
Has an award in his name at Stittsville’s St. Stephen Catholic school (“The Father Steve Amesse Christian Excellence Award is presented annually at St. Stephen Catholic School to a grade six student who exemplifies outstanding Christian values,” 05 July 2012, St. Stephen principal tells students of four key concepts for high school success, ottawacommunitynews.com)
While in Stittsville served as Chaplain to the Stittsville Branch 618 of the Royal Canadian Legion
Charged December 2014 after nine month investigation. Charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual interference. Charges date to 2008 – relate to allegations of sex abuse of a 14-year-old boy – police say the abuse happened at a church.
02 May 2017: ACQUITTED
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25 October 2024: Priest on the hook for $5.7K after CRA rejects donation receipts from his church
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Archbishop Terrence Prendergast sj has assigned Father Amesse to serve as Associate Rector at St. Patrick’s Basilica in downtown Ottawa.
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19 December 2017: Priest acquitted of sex assault appointed to downtown church
15 December 2017: BLOG Two days before Christmas
15 December 2017: Appointed to Ottawa’s St. Patrick Basilica as Associate Rector effective 23 December 2017 (“ Friday Facts “)
02 May 2017: “Suspended Ottawa priest acquitted of sexual assault charge” with video
02 May 2017: Supporters cheer as Ottawa priest acquitted of sexually assaulting boy
02 May 2017: Ottawa priest found not guilty of sexually assaulting teen boy
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Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Ottawa police sexual assault and child abuse unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. (CBC)
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Archbishops of Ottawa from time of Father Stephen Amesse’s ordination: Marcel André J. Gervais(27 September 1989 – 14 May 2007); Terrence Thomas Prendergast, S.J. (14 May 2007 – – )
Auxiliary Bishops of Ottawa from time of Father Stephen Amesse’s ordination: Christian Herbert Riesbeck cc (January 2014 – )
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19 January 2018: BLOG Alas, my question has been definitively answered
24 December 2017: BLOG Merry Christmas
15 December 2017: BLOG Two days before Christmas
03 May 2017: BLOG “some issues”
29 April 2017: BLOG Odds and ends
30 March 2017: BLOG Many are sheer porn
15 March 2017: BLOG He doesn’t know what grooming is?!
15 March 2017: BLOG Nearly ready
14 March 2017: BLOG Needed a break
11 March 2017: BLOG A heavy day
10 March 2017: BLOG We shall see….
08 March 2017: BLOG Priest testifying in own defence
08 March 2017: BLOG The Father Stephen Amesse trial
07 March 2017: BLOG Cross-examination continues
06 March 2017: BLOG Ottawa trial
05 March 2017: BLOG Ottawa trial starts tomorrow
11 May 2016: BLOG Peterborough Diocese priest to be added to Accused list
09 May 201s: BLOG Thank you!
08 April 2016: BLOG Three more articles
02 March 2016: BLOG There’s no magic
01 March 2016: BLOG New computer 🙂 🙁
09 February 2016: BLOG Six new charges against ex priest Grecco
02 February 2016: BLOG Lots of court news
21 January 2016: BLOG Important updates
24 December 20156: BLOG A Blessed Christmas
22 December 2015: BLOG Cross-exam continues today
03 March 2015: BLOG “Good” court news
09 February 2015: BLOG Friends of Father Steve
08 February 2015: BLOG Things are slowly changing
15 December 2014: BLOG Confidential?
08 December 2014: Ottawa priest accused of sexual assault getting supportive emails, congregation hears
08 December 2014: BLOG Puzzled
05 December 2014: BLOG Well connected
04 December 2014: BLOG Well connected
01 July 2010: BLOG Small small world
17 June 2009: Farewell for Father Steve At Holy Spirit Parish
02 October 2007: BLOG Good point
05 December 2014: “Reverend charged with sexual assault out on bail” & related articles
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Unless otherwise indicated the following information is drawn from those annual editions of the Canadian Catholic Church Directory (CCCD) which I happen to have on hand, media (M)
March 2018: offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Saturday 24 March ’18, and on Sunday 25 March at 9:30 am and 12:15 pm
December 2017: assigned to serve as Associate Pastor at St. Patrick’s Basilica, Ottawa (Father Kevin Beach Rector).
02 May 2017: ACQUITTED
06 March 2017: TRIAL
February 2015: after preliminary hearing was committed to stand trial
10 December 2014: Charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual interference related to 14-year-old boy. Charges date to 2008 – boy was 14-years of age (M)
Suspended from ministry following his arrest
2010: received Don Bosco Awards Gala’s “Heart of Youth Ministry” award (M)
served as spiritual director for the Challenge Movement.
June 2009: farewell to “Father Steve” at Holy Spirit Catholic Church
2016: Address for diocesan centre
2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010: Pastor, St, Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Nepean/Fallowfield, Ontario (CCCD)
December 2014: Charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual interference. Charges date to 200
February 2014: police began investigation into allegations of sexual assault (M)
2000-2009: Pastor Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church, Stittsville, Ontario (CCCD and testimony)
2002: Pastor Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church, Stittsville, Ontario (CCCD)
January 2001: Moderator of “General faith questions” for Canadian Catholic Information Network ( The Canadian Catholic Information Network)
General faith questions-moderated by Father Stephen Amesse. Father Stephen was born in Montreal in 1958. Prior to ordination, he had a ten-year career on Parliament Hill as a Parliamentary Assistant. Father Amesse studied at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, and has a theology degree from the University of Ottawa. Ordained to the priesthood on April 10, 1999, he was appointed Assistant Rector of Saint Patrick’s Basilica in Ottawa and served there until July 1, 2000, when he was appointed Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Stittsville. He is currently Spiritual Director to the Archdiocesan Challenge Movement.
2001-2008: Masses conducted in Sacred Heart High School gym unit Holy Spirit church was constructed and opened in 2008 . Prior to construction of the new church Father Amesse lived in a townhouse near the school(testimony at trial)
1999-2000: assisting at St. Patrick’s Basilica, Ottawa, Ontario (Pastor Monsignor Robert Martineau) (CCCD) – assisted at St. Pat’s from time of ordination until appointment to Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Stittsville in 2000
actively involved with schools in the Stittsville area, including Sacred Heart Catholic High School
April 1999: ORDAINED – 41 years of age at time of ordination
1998: Diaconate year at St. Patrick’s Basilica(Pastor was Monsignor David Corkery until the monsignor’s death in late November 1998)
1992: Listed as a collaborator for Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishop’s From Pain to Hope – identified as “Senate research assistant.” Several recommendations in From Pain to Hope relate to “reentry” or “reintegration” of known clerical molesters.
The ‘collaborators’ were broken down into groups of four, each group working with the chair of one of four workgroups.
Canon lawyer Father Frank Morrissey omi chaired the workgroup which revised the 1987 CCCB guidelines. Amongst those collaborating with Morrisey were: Father Peter O’Hanley, Stephen Amesse, and Jeff King (former Ottawa lawyer, late vocation – ordained at same time as Amesse)
1991: assistant to Ottawa South Liberal MP John Manly (M)
“A former student for the priesthood at St. Paul University in Ottawa and Holy Apostles College in Cromwell, Conn., Amesse worked with a company that attempted to establish a television network for native people.” (Ottawa Citizen 06 November 1991 – scroll down for complete article)
April 1990: organized a “Stop Hunger …Fast” fundraiser at Ottawa’s Charlebois High School (Ottawa Citizen 09 April 1990 – scroll down for article)
1983?: studying at Saint Paul’s University. (02 October 2007: BLOG Good point )
at some point attended seminary at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut, whether this was before or after he was at Saint’s Paul’s in Ottawa in the 80s is unknown.
05 March 1958: born in Montreal, Quebec
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Documents and articles of Interest
Ottawa priest charged in 2008 sexual assault of teen
Boy was 14 at time of alleged sexual assault
CBC News Posted: Dec 04, 2014 2:06 PM ET Last Updated: Dec 04, 2014 5:26 PM ET
An Ottawa priest has been released on bail after being charged with sexually assaulting a teenage boy inside a west end Catholic church in 2008.
Stephen Amesse is seen here in a photo posted on a blog in 2009. In 2008, it’s alleged that Amesse sexually assaulted a teenage boy. (From Archbishop Terrence Prendergast’s blog)
Investigators received a complaint in February 2014. The boy was 14 at the time of the alleged assault, police said in a media release issued Thursday.
Stephen Amesse, 56, was charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual interference involving a child under 16.
He made a brief appearance in court Thursday via video link. Amesse was dressed in lay clothes, slacks and a bulky sweater, and he looked down at the floor several times.
Amesse suspended from ministry, will live at retirement home for priests
The Crown agreed to Amesse being released on a $5,000 bond with conditions that he not contact the victim or be in contact with any boys or girls under the age of 16.
He will live at a retirement home for priests in Ottawa.
His next court appearance is set for Jan. 12, 2015.
Amesse was suspended from all ministry and his position as pastor at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fallowfield after he was charged on Thursday, according to his archdiocese.
‘These are painful moments,’ archdiocese says
“These are painful moments in the life of a faith community. May the parishioners know the spiritual support of our entire Catholic community,” the Archdiocese of Ottawa said in an emailed statement.
Amesse had a nine-year tenure at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Stittsville before his departure in 2009. He has also been involved with schools in the community, including Sacred Heart High School.
Ottawa police believe there could be other victims. None of the allegations has been proven in court.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Ottawa police sexual assault and child abuse unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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Stittsville priest faces child sex charges
The Ottawa Sun
First posted: Thursday, December 04, 2014 02:30 PM EST | Updated: Thursday, December 04, 2014 03:43 PM EST
By Doug Hempstead, Ottawa Sun
Father Stephen Amesse, then pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish (Fallowfield)in a 2009 photo (from archdiocese blog)
Cops have charged an Ottawa priest with sexual assault and sexual interference with a 14-year-old boy in 2008.
Police have been investigating allegations about Father Stephen Amesse, 56, since February.
Sex Assault and Child Abuse section detectives are worried there may be more victims.
Amesse appeared in court for a bail hearing and was released on a $5,000 bond and under strict restrictions to stay away from children under the age of 16, unless supervised.
He has been connected to the Catholic school community for many years, notably at Stittsville’s Sacred Heart High School.
A farewell for “Father Steve” happened in June 2009 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, before more than 600 people and — according to a write-up at the time — punctuated by a prolonged standing ovation, gifts and “a pledge of everlasting remembrance.”
A Sacred Heart student praised Father Steve for his “interaction with students and his constant visits to the schools,” according to the Ottawa East News report.
Amesse was instrumental in the planning and construction of the multi-million dollar Holy Spirit Church on Shea Rd.
“The board will not comment on an ongoing police matter,” read a statement from Catholic Board director Julian Hanlon. “The Arch Diocese is also actively involved in resolving this case. While this situation is being handled in the justice system, Father Amesse will not be working in or visiting any Ottawa Catholic School Board schools.”
The Arch Diocese also issued a statement, indicating Amesse has been suspended.
“When Fr. Stephen Amesse was criminally charged today, following diocesan protocols in such matters, he was suspended immediately from all ministry.
“Archbishop Prendergast extends to the parishioners of St. Patrick’s Fallowfield, where Fr. Amesse is pastor, the assurance of his prayers and pastoral care. These are painful moments in the life of a faith community. May the parishioners know the spiritual support of our entire Catholic community.”
Anyone with information or concerns connected to the case should call Ottawa cops at 613-236-1222, ext. 594. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS) or downloading the Ottawa Police iOS app.
Twitter: @DougHempstead
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Don Bosco Gala rewards Ottawa youth for outstanding service
The Catholic Register
08 February 2010
BY BRUNELLE LEWIS, YOUTH SPEAK NEWS
OTTAWA – Youth from across the Ottawa archdiocese gathered for the second annual Don Bosco Awards Gala Jan. 30 to honour those who answer the call to live passionately through Christ daily.
Eight of the youth leaders, described as having gone above and beyond the call of youth ministry, were given special recognition at the event.
The honoured youth are “very, very involved in school, parish and (other movements),” said Ted Hurley, director of youth ministry for the archdiocese of Ottawa, who organized the event with youth and staff at the St. Elias Centre, where the event was held. “(They are) real examples of youth ministry.”
The awards given out were all named after saints, who, said Hurley, “lived their lives passionately.”
The recipients (and their awards) were: Matthew Bisson (St. Peter “Rock of Youth Ministry” Award), Nicolas Church (St. Bernadette “Witness Through Service” Award), Megan Crowe (Pope John Paul II “Reaching Out to Youth” Award), Dior Krolak (St. Mary “Love of Christ” Award), Josh Lanthier (St. Cecilia “Evangelizing Youth Through Music” Award), Nick Liko (St. Thomas Aquinas “Teaching our Faith” Award”) and Amanda Walsh (St. Elizabeth “Joy in Youth Ministry” Award).
The eighth award, “Heart of Youth Ministry,” which honoured St. Don Bosco, was given to Fr. Stephen Amesse. Amesse received the award for his outstanding service to youth in Ottawa as a pastor, Challenge Movement spiritual director and a high school spiritual counsellor.
Amesse said, “It is important for those giving to the community (to be recognized), as well as those behind the scenes. I wouldn’t be receiving an award today had it not been for my parish, pastoral office and financial office that have allowed me to do my work in schools. In that way, it is their award.”
The gala was named after St. Don Bosco, who was canonized as the “Father and Teacher of Youth” and is commonly known as the patron saint of youth ministry. Don Bosco’s feast was commemorated the Sunday following the gala.
Bisson said he responds to his call every day. An active member of his parish, Holy Redeemer in Kanata, Bisson is a youth lector and a leader of the junior and senior youth group.
Bisson says he joined the youth group initially because it provided a safe haven while he was in high school. In addition to practical leadership opportunities, he said being involved with ministry provides an opportunity to give back to the Lord.
“When we give back to the Lord, we are able to build new relationship that we wouldn’t be able to build otherwise. Youth ministry encourages a certain type of lifestyle with the Lord.”
André Regnier, co-founder of the Catholic Christian Outreach, gave a keynote speech on “Living with Passion” and what it means to lead a life full of passion for Christ.
“Remember the importance of passion. It comes very easily for us within the church because we have had the life of Christ breathed into us by God at Baptism. We have the life of God within us, and so we are challenged to live in His way,” said Regnier. “We should be looking to the passion of Christ as a role model to our lives.”
(Lewis, 18, is a journalism student at Carleton University in Ottawa.)
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Vandals hit churches in Stittsville, Kanata
Father Stephen Amesse can’t believe it happened with him sleeping right next door.
canada.com
OTTAWA — Father Stephen Amesse can’t believe it happened with him sleeping right next door.
Sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning, vandals spray-painted two sides of Stittsville’s Holy Spirit Catholic Church with black upside-down crosses, 666s and other Satanic markings.
“This is a brand new church,” Father Amesse said Saturday, as a police photographer took pictures of the marked-up exterior walls. “It just opened in March.”
The church’s 800-family congregation saved for 18 years to build the new building, he said.
“It’s heartbreaking for anybody. It took a long time for us to get here.”
Father Amesse lives behind the church, in a residence that doesn’t face the front of the property. It wasn’t until a parishioner knocked on the front door of the church, he said, that he found out what had happened.
As he surveyed the damage Saturday afternoon, Father Amesse said the congregation would have to mull over how to clean up the paint, which had been sprayed on windows and brick walls.
“We don’t want to damage it and make it worse,” he said.
Parishioner Kevin Richardson said he heard parents at a nearby children’s soccer match Saturday morning talking about the vandalism. When Mr. Richardson drove over to see it for himself, he was stunned.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “It’s unbelievable someone would tag a church like this.”
After the vandals were finished in Stittsville, police believe they then drove to Kanata, where they spray-painted three upside-down crosses and the word “Satnan” (sic) on two walls of Glen Cairn United Church.
Ottawa police Const. Marty Whan said police had not yet identified any suspects as of Saturday afternoon.
“It has to be overnight, that’s all we know,” he said.
Moe Wright, chair of the property management committee at Glen Cairn United Church, said it looked like the vandals had run out of spray paint “by the time they got here,” noting that it appeared to be “splotchy” in places.
Const. Whan agreed, suggesting that the lack of spray paint may have limited the intended damage to that church’s exterior.
While Glen Cairn United Church neighbours did not see anything suspicious overnight, one woman said the vandalism must have happened in the middle of the night.
Ansu Chauhan, who lives across Colony Road, said she saw the upside-down crosses painted on the church, when she woke up at 4:30 a.m.
“I noticed it from my window this morning,” she said. “I was really surprised to see it.”
Ottawa police Staff Sgt. Phil Tennant said it is “more than likely” the cases will be referred to the hate crimes unit.
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Church abuse ignored: Guzzo
The Ottawa Citizen
20 July 2002
Susan Burgess
Garry Guzzo, the Ottawa MPP who is seeking a public inquiry into the police investigation of a Cornwall pedophile ring, says that Canadian Catholics are giving their church too much credit for its handling of recent sex abuse scandals.
“There’s been a great effort to cover up what’s going on,” Mr. Guzzo said. “I don’t think it’s been dealt with within the church at all.”
In a national poll commissioned by the Citizen, the National Post and Global TV, Catholics gave the church an average grade of 39 per cent for its handling of the scandals. Mr. Guzzo said the grade, though failing, was too high.
Members of survivors’ groups echoed Mr. Guzzo’s concerns and reiterated their calls for an end to the recycling of sex-offender priests in other dioceses.
“I don’t think the church has handled the scandal well … there’s still cover-up,” said Shirley Armstrong, an abuse victim and board member of the Survivors’ Network of Those Abused by Priests.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of people leaving the church, which is really sad.”
Father Jeff Shannon, a chaplain to the lay association of the Companions of the Cross, disagreed that the faithful would flee.
“What I have seen is a lot of people being called to pray more, to pray for the church,” he said. “It’s Jesus who we pray to, and we can’t leave Him.”
Father Stephen Amesse of Holy Spirit Parish in Stittsville said his own parish has been growing for the last several years despite the apparent unhappiness of Catholics about the handling of sex abuse cases and about the church’s stance on birth control, ordaining women, and priestly celibacy.
Catholics “may not agree with everything the church teaches, but they’re looking for some sort of stability in their lives and they know the church offers it,” Father Amesse said.
He said that many Catholics who advocate allowing priests to marry — a group which includes 82 per cent of those Catholics polled in the national survey — make a spurious connection between the vow of celibacy and sex abuse
It is one of many misunderstandings people have about celibacy, he added.
“I think it’s a general concern that people might have that their priests are lonely,” Father Amesse said. “You can be lonely and have a family.”
Terence Fay, a Jesuit priest and author of A History of Canadian Catholics, called the stance of Canadian Catholics on issues such as marriage for priests typical of the views of people in a progressive western country, but said he doubted the issues would be resolved in the lifetime of his generation or the next.
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Stittsville parish closer to its dream
Ottawa Citizen
02 April 2007
Kirstin Endemann
The Beginnings of a Church
The first step was taken yesterday to build Stittsville its first Catholic church.
For more than 20 years, the Holy Spirit parish has worshipped in two successive school gymnasiums, saved and scrimped pennies and held fundraisers to pull together the more than $3 million needed to build their dream: a church of their own.
Yesterday, Archbishop Marcel Gervais blessed and broke the ground for the church that will welcome the congregation of more than 3,000 people.
Today, the construction begins in earnest.
“Some of the work, like site preparation, is already done,” said Rev. Stephen Amesse. “So as of Monday, with this mild weather, it is full steam ahead.”
The church will be built at the corner of Shea Road and Abbott Street, across from Sacred Heart Catholic High School, where the parish still holds masses.
The church will feature a 30-metre tower as a centrepiece with awnings “to make it look like as classic a church as possible,” said Father Amesse. It will also have an 800-seat worship area, three meeting rooms, a 200-seat parish hall and 30-seat Blessed Sacrament chapel.
The church will be open for Christmas, if the parish manages to raise the last $250,000 required.
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Church abuse ignored: Guzzo
The Ottawa Citizen
20 July 2002
Garry Guzzo, the Ottawa MPP who is seeking a public inquiry into the police investigation of a Cornwall pedophile ring, says that Canadian Catholics are giving their church too much credit for its handling of recent sex abuse scandals.
“There’s been a great effort to cover up what’s going on,” Mr. Guzzo said. “I don’t think it’s been dealt with within the church at all.”
In a national poll commissioned by the Citizen, the National Post and Global TV, Catholics gave the church an average grade of 39 per cent for its handling of the scandals. Mr. Guzzo said the grade, though failing, was too high.
Members of survivors’ groups echoed Mr. Guzzo’s concerns and reiterated their calls for an end to the recycling of sex-offender priests in other dioceses.
“I don’t think the church has handled the scandal well … there’s still cover-up,” said Shirley Armstrong, an abuse victim and board member of the Survivors’ Network of Those Abused by Priests.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of people leaving the church, which is really sad.”
Father Jeff Shannon, a chaplain to the lay association of the Companions of the Cross, disagreed that the faithful would flee.
“What I have seen is a lot of people being called to pray more, to pray for the church,” he said. “It’s Jesus who we pray to, and we can’t leave Him.”
Father Stephen Amesse of Holy Spirit Parish in Stittsville said his own parish has been growing for the last several years despite the apparent unhappiness of Catholics about the handling of sex abuse cases and about the church’s stance on birth control, ordaining women, and priestly celibacy.
Catholics “may not agree with everything the church teaches, but they’re looking for some sort of stability in their lives and they know the church offers it,” Father Amesse said.
He said that many Catholics who advocate allowing priests to marry — a group which includes 82 per cent of those Catholics polled in the national survey — make a spurious connection between the vow of celibacy and sex abuse
It is one of many misunderstandings people have about celibacy, he added.
“I think it’s a general concern that people might have that their priests are lonely,” Father Amesse said. “You can be lonely and have a family.”
Terence Fay, a Jesuit priest and author of A History of Canadian Catholics, called the stance of Canadian Catholics on issues such as marriage for priests typical of the views of people in a progressive western country, but said he doubted the issues would be resolved in the lifetime of his generation or the next.
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Catholic priest wants a Parliament Hill chaplaincy: former Hill staffer-turned-priest looks to politicians for flock
The Hill Times
03 May 1999
Mike Scandiffio
When newly-ordained Roman Catholic priest Stephen Amesse looks around the downtown Ottawa parish of St. Patrick’s to Parliament Hill, he sees not only his old life but a possible new flock to tend to.
Rev. Amesse, 40, ordained a priest last month, was former Liberal political staffer to Industry Minister John Manley (Ottawa South, Ont.) when he was in opposition and later worked for Ontario Liberal Senator Anne Cools and, until last year, for Ontario Liberal MP Brenda Chamberlain (Guelph-Wellington, Ont.). In the 1993 election, he campaigned for Liberal MP Peter Milliken (Kingston and the Islands, Ont.).
Now as a new priest in residence at one of Ottawa‘s oldest dioceses and a place of worship for many MPs, he wants to return to Parliament Hill as its chaplain.
In February, as he entered the final month before his ordination, Rev. Amesse wrote to Reform MP Jason Kenney (Calgary Southeast, Alta.) and Liberal MP Dan McTeague (Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge, Ont.) about establishing a role for a priest on the Hill.
“I wanted to see if we could get involved on a spiritual level on the Hilt. The Hill has 5,000 employees and I would like to see some sort of chaplaincy developed for the MPs, for the staff. It’s a very stressful life not only for the MPs who are away from their families but for the staff. There is not a lot of security,” he said.
Political life is uncertain and that leaves employees anxious, he said.
“Every few years you are talking about an election and you may lose your job,” said Rev. Amesse. “I want to let them know that we are available if they do want to talk to us.”
Moving from politics to the priesthood was not a difficult stretch for Rev. Amesse. He was ordained with two other priests who came from political backgrounds. One was a Liberal organizer and another was a former assistant to Regional Chairman Bob Chiarelli.
“I think the primary reason which people are involved with politics is because they want to help people,” said Rev.Amesse who once ran unsuccessfully for municipal office in Ottawa. “In a sense, it’s the same direct motivation for becoming a priest.”
But while he preached from the pulpit against abortion and for forgiveness of Third World debt, he had to end his Liberal membership when he entered the priesthood due to the archdiocesan policy.
“You can not be a member of a political party,” he said. “Part of it is there is a shortage of priests and we should be doing what we are called to do which is working in the ministry rather than working in politics.”
But he does not bridle at not being allowed into the political battles. Cutting official partisan ties frees him to push on issues with all parties.
“We serve all kinds of people and we have to concentrate on more spiritual issues. Obviously, there’s hunger, poverty and even Third World debt because when you look at what Third World debt is doing, it’s taking away from people the basic necessities and that is what we have to concentrate on as well. Partisanship can block your view of issues and we have to be more open and more involved.”
While there is an historical uneasiness among politicians about mixing religion and politics in a pluralistic society, the Hill does have a religious culture and heritage. In the 1970s, Sean O’Sullivan sat as a Tory MP for the riding of Hamilton-Wentworth, Ont., but left politics to become ordained as a priest in 1981. He died of leukemia in 1989. Saskatchewan NDP MP Bob Ogle, also a priest, had to give up his seat of Saskatchewan East in 1984 at the order of the pope.
In the current Parliament, there are several MPs with religious training. NDP House Leader Bill Blaikie is an ordained United Church minister and first term Reform MP Reed Elley (Nanaimo-Cowichan, B.C.) is a Baptist pastor received. Reformers Philip Mayfield (Cariboo-Chilcotin, B.C.) and Maurice Vellacott (Wanuskewin, Sask.) are also clergymen.
Liberal MPs Derek Lee (Scarborough-Rouge River, Ont.) and Dennis Mills (Broadview-Greenwood, Ont.) also studied for the priesthood.
There is also the weekly all-party National Prayer Breakfast which has attracted such heavyweights as House Speaker Gib Parent (Niagara Centre, Ont.) and Industry Minister John Manley (Ottawa South, Ont.).
But Rev. Amesse wants to reach out to more than just the MPs.
“There is the prayer breakfast and that is a very positive thing but that is for the MPs. I want to take it a step further and get staff involved,” he said.
When Mr. Kenney, 31, received Rev. Amesse‘s letter, he immediately called him up. Mr. Kenney, a practising Catholic who has quoted St. Thomas Aquinas in the House, said he will support Rev. Amesse as a chaplain on the Hill. He said the former staffer’s political experience gives him an insight into the concerns of MPs and staffers.
“The fact that he has worked here and understands the culture of the Hill and the dynamic of politics would be helpful. I think that would be unique. I think the famous late Father Sean O’Sullivan provided that kind of advice. Father O’Sullivan was a good friend to John Turner. I think when you are in that kind of position with that kind of background, partisanship fades into the background. You are able to identify with Parliamentarians in a way that most folks can’t. You’ve seen the hectic lifestyle, the kind of pressures.”
Mr. Kenney points to the pace, long hours and temptations of political life that can strain family ties and lead to divorce. The presence of a priest on the Hill might put things into perspective for members isolated from their families.
“It is easy in this lifestyle to be disconnected from what is really important, faith and family,” said Mr. Kenney. “That’s why having the occasional presence of a spiritual adviser is very helpful. It can ground people.”
However, Rev. Amesse stresses that his role will be to offer spiritual guidance rather than advice on relationships.
“The main role of the priest is to be a spiritual director, we are not marriage counselors, we are not social workers,” he said. “There are areas where people need to seek other, more professional help. If you have psychological problems, a priest may not be helping you. But there may be issues where a priest with spiritual direction can say ‘hold on, pray on it.’ And sometimes that has helped a bit.”
Mr. Kenney looks to the British Parliament and the U.S. Congress as political institutions which have clerics to help politicians.
“They rotate different denominations and faith backgrounds,” he said.
As MPs wrestle with complex and pressing questions such as whether to support the bombing of Serbia, send Canadian troops into battle and the effects of tax policies on families, Mr. Kenney said MPs need more than a hail of policy advisers and briefings to help them work through the issues and to arrive at a decision on what’s right and what’s wrong.
“Sometimes it’s helpful to have some direct personal moral guidance that is not always available and I don’t mean some bureaucrat from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops coming by and giving you the latest position paper,” said Mr. Kenney. “I mean somebody to help you to reason through your own conscientious position on things.”
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`We hope his soul will rest in peace forever’: Friends and family fill St.Patrick’s Basilica for funeral service of beloved priest
The Ottawa Citizen
02 December 1998
There was standing-room only at St. Patrick’s Basilica yesterday as friends, colleagues and the family of Msgr. David Corkery gathered for a final goodbye to the parish’s revered leader.
Msgr. Corkery died on Saturday after suffering a stroke. He was 69. At the opening of the service, Ottawa Archbishop Marcel Gervais expressed his shock over the church’s loss.
“It still feels like I’m living a nightmare and I will wake up and everything will be fine,” he said. “But death is real.”
An entire section of clergymen, dressed in white formal gowns, sat near the front of the dimly-lit church. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and city councillor Elisabeth Arnold also sat up front, close to Msgr. Corkery’s family.
Stephen Amesse, a young seminarian doing his pastoral services at St. Patrick’s, said Msgr. Corkery left a definite impression on him.
“Anyone who ever had anything to do with David knew that time was very important.”
Mr. Amesse recalled that whenever Msgr. Corkery had friends over for dinner, he expected them to be on time, to finish the meal early, and be on their way. He did, after all, have to rise at five the next morning for mass, reminded Mr. Amesse.
“He encouraged us and gave us strength and confidence,” he added.
Near the end of the funeral, Msgr. Corkery’s nephew, Marc Gay, held back tears as he delivered a short eulogy.
“Uncle Dave had two passions: the Catholic church and his family,” he said. “We are deeply saddened by his departure and we hope his soul will rest in peace forever.”
The monsignor was born in St. Catharines, Ont. in 1929. After serving as a reserve guard in Germany in 1955, he earned a degree in canon law at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa.
St. Patrick’s was Msgr. Corkery’s first posting after being ordained a priest 42 years ago. Since then, he’s been a priest in several parishes around Ottawa and Vanier. He returned to St. Patrick’s in 1993 as a parish priest and later became rector.
St. Patrick’s is one of the busiest parishes in the area. It holds four masses a day during the week and five masses on the weekend.
Two years ago, Msgr. Corkery organized and supervised the restoration of the church’s 10,000 sq.-ft. basement to improve the building’s use as a community gathering place. Now, the space is a legacy of his generosity and dedication.
Dozens of clergymen from around the city lead the funeral procession out of the church and into the bright sunlight outside. Police had Nepean Street blocked off while parishioners filed out towards a reception in the church hall.
“He was a very generous man,” said colleague Rev. Lomer Rooney. “It will be difficult to replace Msgr. Corkery.”
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Transportation issues concern voters
The Ottawa Citizen
05 November 1991
Dave Rogers
One newcomer to city politics, a previously unsuccessful candidate and a former council assistant are vying for the seat vacated by Darrel Kent who is running for regional chair.
The candidates include Stephen Amesse, assistant to Ottawa South Liberal MP John Manley; Peter Hume, Kent’s council assistant; and Rebecca Liff, previous Alta Vista candidate and veteran non-smokers’ rights activist.
Improved roads, better bus service and traffic are key issues in Alta Vista, as they were during the past several civic elections. People from the growing south end of the region want easier access to downtown and they will get it by improved transportation links through Alta Vista.
The ward’s 19,000 largely upper middle class voters are anxious to limit high-density housing, preserve green space and keep traffic to a minimum at Alta Vista Drive.
The proposed Alta Vista Parkway, which is supposed to ease traffic congestion on Alta Vista Drive and Bank Street, is to be constructed through southeast Ottawa from Walkley and Conroy roads to the Queensway at Nicholas Street.
The parkway will be constructed on vacant National Capital Commission land on the east side of the ward. The region hasn’t decided on a timetable for construction.
Hume says the project should be implemented with sensitivity because it will run past several residential communities in the ward.
Amesse says the residents are concerned about noise and air pollution, especially if truck traffic is allowed on the road. Amesse suggests lower speed limits on the parkway and a ban on truck traffic.
Rising city taxes and the quality of municipal services residents receive are two other major issues in Alta Vista.
Liff says the city isn’t providing the services people expect. ”We used to get more street signs and garbage collection. The city should hire a person to go around the city, making lists of things that need to be replaced or are deficient.”
Amesse says residents don’t believe they are getting good value for their city taxes.
”We have some people paying $5,000 a year in taxes, but the average is $3,000,” Amesse says. ”All they get in return is snow removal and garbage collection.
”The budget process should be opened up so that I could ask the people what services they want.”
Stephen Amesse, 33, believes his experience as constituency assistant to Ottawa South MP John Manley would help him serve as councillor in Alta Vista ward.
Amesse says he is concerned about issues such as property taxes, the need for increased tourism, expanded business opportunities and better transportation downtown.
A former student for the priesthood at St. Paul University in Ottawa and Holy Apostles College in Cromwell, Conn., Amesse worked with a company that attempted to establish a television network for native people.
Like many other council candidates, Amesse believes the main issue in this election is property taxes.
”People don’t believe they are getting good value for their tax dollar,” Amesse says. ”I want the budget process opened up so the people of Alta Vista can say what services they should have.”
Peter Hume, 28, is campaigning to restore fiscal restraint to the city’s budget
”We’re already paying too much tax,” says Hume. ”It’s time to call a halt to these perpetual yearly increases. We must put a stop to municipal megaprojects which are poorly conceived and planned.”
Hume wants the city to emphasize services such as road repairs, police and fire services and parks. He says Alta Vista should have a community police station to control the increase of crime in the ward.
He has worked for the past three years as executive assistant for Alta Vista Coun. Darrel Kent, who is running for regional chair. Before that he worked for 11/2 years as assistant to Canterbury Coun. Michael McSweeney.
Hume has a BA honors in economics and has worked as a community volunteer and track and field coach.
Rebecca Liff, 53, says she is running for council because she wants more common sense at city hall.
Liff has been a non-smokers’ rights activist and clean-air advocate for 18 years. She lost her job as a Revenue Canada taxation officer about 24 years ago because of sensitivity to cigarette smoke in her office.
Liff founded the Non-Smokers’ Association, now called Non Smokers for Clean Air. She worked on a residents’ ward council about eight years ago when Greg MacDougall was alderman. She is married and has two children.
During the 1985 civic election, she placed last among five candidates including Darrel Kent, who won the seat.
Now Liff believes air pollution has become so serious on Bank Street that city council should resolve traffic problems in the area.
Liff says city council should curb tax increases because many people are ”barely hanging onto their homes.”
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Fundraisers earn $7,000 to help food bank
Ottawa Citizen
09 April 1990
Some people fasted while others listened to classical music, but they all had the same goal — raising money for Ottawa’s needy.
Two fundraising events on the weekend collected about $7,000 for the Ottawa Food Bank.
In one event at Charlebois High School, about 50 people fasted for a 24-hour period, eating nothing except liquids.
They raised an estimated $5000 from pledges for the Ottawa Food Bank and UNICEF, said organizer Stephen Amesse.
Dubbed “Stop Hunger… Fast,” the campaign was sponsored by area businesses and Ottawa South MP John Manley.
It was organized to promote awareness of hunger problems both locally and around the world.
In addition to pledges of money, others donated food. About 100 bags of food were donated, said the food bank’s vice-president Sandra Finless.
Meanwhile, in the second fundraiser, members of Ottawa’s Chinese community put on a benefit concert that raised an estimated $2,000 for the Ottawa Food Bank, said organizer Ping Lee Ho.
About 600 people filled the auditorium at La Salle High School on Saturday to listen to baritone Sun Yu sing.
“It was a great day for the food bank,” Finless said.
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Court-dates from time charges laid to trial & verdict
Next courtdate: 02 May 2017: 02 May 2017: 1 pm, VERDICT, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.); 12 May 2017: 09:30, Assignment court (to set date for rendering verdict?), Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.) ; 07 April 2017: 09:30, Assignment court (to set date for rendering verdict), Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.); 06 – 14 March 2017: 10 am, TRIAL (booked for seven days) Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.) ; 19 January 2017: 10 am, pre-trial motion, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.) ; 18 May 2016: pre-trial, (in chambers, NOT open to the public) Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.) ; 09 May 2016: 12:30 pm. pre-trial, (in chambers, NOT open to the public) Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.); 08 April 2016: 09:30 am, Assignment court, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.) ;29 February 2016: Pre trial (NOT open to the public), Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.); 05 February 2016: 09:30 am, Assignment Court, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.) 21 22 January 2015: continuation of Preliminary Hearing Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.) 21 December 2015: 10 am, courtroom #2, Preliminary Hearing, Ottawa Ontario courthouse (161 Elgin St.); 02 March 2015: 08:30 am, courtroom #5, “to be spoken to,” Ottawa Ontario courthouse (161 Elgin St.); 23 February 2015: 08:30 am, “to be spoken to,” Ottawa Ontario courthouse (161 Elgin St.) ; 09 February 2015: 08:30 am, “to be spoken to,” Ottawa Ontario courthouse (161 Elgin St.) ; 12 January 2015: Ottawa Ontario courthouse ;04 December 2014
(14-SA19545)
Check out this further information on Fr. Amesse’s volunteer activities: answering general faith questions on Catholic’s Insight’s Canadian Catholic Information Network. His bio there is as follows:
“General faith questions-moderated by Father Stephen Amesse. Father Stephen was born in Montreal in 1958. Prior to ordination, he had a ten-year career on Parliament Hill as a Parliamentary Assistant. Father Amesse studied at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, and has a theology degree from the University of Ottawa. Ordained to the priesthood on April 10, 1999, he was appointed Assistant Rector of Saint Patrick’s Basilica in Ottawa and served there until July 1, 2000, when he was appointed Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Stittsville. He is currently Spiritual Director to the Archdiocesan Challenge Movement. ”
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Canadian+Catholic+Information+Network.-a076496927
I’ve read through the articles on this man. He’s put high on a pedestal, and is said to be a great guy. Most if not all of the charged and convicted priests here were about the same with parishioners writing in to say that “He could never do this” “We’ve had him over for suppers many times and he’s good with our children” or “he’s helped us through a difficult time in our lives” “he saved our marriage” blah blah blah. How come he’s believed and comforted but for the victim, nada or he’s lying and my favorite is ” he’s after money”, as if your handed a cheque after the trial. If anyone of you have been to a trial and see what one goes through, you’d change your tune. It’s liken to a rape victim telling the Police that he raped me and the ignorant people saying “she must have asked for it, led him on”
Most people live in a dream world and never know the horrors of the world. For the most part that’s OK. Before you write, say, or take someone’s side, make sure you’re god or a visionary before you say something that makes you look like you have no idea what you’re talking about. A friend of mine told me that even after a priest he knew very well, was charged, convicted, and jailed, his father said that he could never have done it, and the trial was fixed. Believing something to be true doesn’t make it so.
Read through the many heart wrenching V.I. S. (Victim Impact Statements)
If you’re a women reading this, put yourself in a rape victim shoes, and remember you are only 10 or 11 and your uncle or dad did it, think on it hard. If you happen to be a man do the same but now it’s your parish priest and you’re only 10 or 11. If you happen to be 40 years and older and this happen in the 6o’s 70’s and even the 80’s The priests were put at the highest of esteemed positions in our lives. In the 60’s or later our fathers and mothers taught us as much. They weren’t gods but they were as close as one could get. Who would believe a boy from a broken home, a one parent home, that a priest would do this. Remember this isn’t 2014, this is the 60’s 70’s and 80’s.
Before you bash me say I don’t know what I’m talking about, read and think for yourself. How well do you really know what’s going on in someone else’s mind, or house, when we have a hard time knowing what our own children are doing. Faith in Jesus Christ I’ll have till the day I meet him. Blind faith in a man is a worship of another god. These priest aren’t gods they are just men, Holy Men sent to us by God. But some sneak into the realm of the holy (wolves in sheep’s clothing) they are just men and therefore do ungodly acts. This hasn’t just started up. This has been going on for centuries. All I as is read and educate yourself before you stand behind one of these wolves in sheep’s clothing and ruin your good name.
In his book ‘The Priest: His Dignity and Obligations’ St John Eudes wrote that God permits bad priests as a sign that He is thoroughly angry with His people.
God Bless.
I guess St John Eudes didn’t read, understand the applicability of, or even want to acknowledge Ezekiel 34… But who am I to question a saint?
Jimmy I question everything man makes now. I didn’t a few years back before the chit hit the fan. They makes saints by the handful. Why I question that now is, Pope John Paul II a saint in the making. He pope JPII let a known pedophile priest flourish, because he was bringing in millions to the church, He put the almighty $$ before the welfare of children and before God. So why not question them. I could never put my trust in the hierarchy of the church ever again. They’re as slippery as a moose on skates. If you were wondering what priest I’m talking about, it’s Fr. Marcial Maciel, Pedophile, Psychopath, and former head of the Legion of Christ. Just because he was a pope does he get a pass. Ezekiel 34 is perfect. They not watching the flock and the flock is scattering far and wide from them. This would be a great lead in for the anti pope to rear his ugly head. A great leader to bring the flock back only to lead them to the slaughter.
Should we not question and seek answers to questions that need answering. We’re asking but they’re not answering. They avoid, evade, and hide the truth so as to protect their (our) $$ Stop giving them your estates, your hard earned money. Give only enough so as to sustain your own churches bills. They have more money that most countries and own more land than anyone here on earth. They’re after yours. It’s in our church bulletin every month to Will them part of your estate.
The pope has almost been in power for 2 years. How many pedophile priest, bishops cardinals have been defrocked?
Miecul – God promised to get his sheep in Ezekiel 34 if He needed to – He will. Its looking like this Pope is battling internal forces – If I understand correctly he told La Repubblica that he estimated that 2% (8000 ish of the clergy) were pedophiles. Then Vatican comms people seemed to contradict him (like they have on other occasions) later… I get the feeling that we are about to see a mass defrocking but only time will tell. If this pope has proven anything it is that he has no problem firing people regardless of their position.
Let us pray for justice in the Father Amesse case.
Father Stephen Amesse was scheduled to appear again in court on January 12, 2015. Did he appear in court at that time and, if so, what transpired?
I am waiting for a call back to get his next courtdate John. As soon as I get word I will post the information.
Father Stephen Amesse’s next court date is:
09 February 2015: 08:30 am, “to be spoken to,” Ottawa Ontario courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
I don’t know if he did or did not appear yesterday, but doubt it.
Do you have an update? Did he appear in court this time?
Thank you.
I don’t know if he did or did not appear in court Grace, but, as before, I doubt it.
His next court date is:
23 February 2015: 08:30 am, “to be spoken to,” Ottawa Ontario courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
Thanks for your reply. How many times people allow not show up in court order, do you know?
Thank you.
There are many courtdates where the accused doesn’t show. On those occasions they are not required to be there. The charges against Father Amesse were laid December 2014. It will probably be quite a few months before he appears in court.
Reading through these articles…is it not just a bit weird that this priest left the seminary after a fellow seminarian confessed to him that they were abused; then returned for ordination; then was present when that poor student tragically died in a school explosion; then wrote the Catholic document about the abuse scandal, From Pain to Hope, with Archbishop of Ottawa Terrence Prendergast, and others charged later with abuse….a very popular, high profile figure. However, he’s older. Been around the block. Knows where the skeletons are stored?
We know by now that they tend to run together, in circles.
I would love to know what the whole story is here….and what does Fr Amasse know?Who – in a position of power – might be trying to help save him? And – for what reason.
Great article gathering. I hope one day we will look back….and the facts will finally add up.
In the meantime, my prayers to the victims who spoke up.
Agathe, there are 2 people, one a Parish priest, Fr. J King, and the Archbishop’s right-hand man, Msgr. Kevin Beach, who no doubt have an interest in this matter Bothe practiced Law before becoming a Priest, and both, I think, are Canon Lawyers. Oh ! what a wondrous web we weave when——-
I just read the exchange below between Beach and Sylvia. . .
It’s a good question: who is responsible for who? Which order is in charge of what problems – who will listen to the survivors – when they all pass the buck? And yes, what are the responsibilities of an incoming bishop? As Pendergast arrived in 2007…then “learned about Macneil”. Just how – do they learn? Aren’t their files to read? (And: who painted the graffiti outside the church? An angry individual who no one was listening to?).
There is a creepy thread in this power circle that connects to older priests abusing seminarians. Then we have Pendergast as archbishop – in charge of ordinations.
One day – I just have a feeling – the threads will connect.
http://www.theinquiry.ca/wordpress/accused/charged/macneil-edward-mark-macneil-father-ed-macneil/email-exchange-with-msgr-kevin-beach-re-fathers-ed-macneil-omi-and-john-huels-and-msgr-john-renken/
The next courtdate for Father Stephen Amesse is:
02 March 2015: 08:30 am, courtroom #5, “to be spoken to,” Ottawa Ontario courthouse (161 Elgin St.);
Sylvia; Do you know what “to be spoken to” means? As well, I wonder why have the media suddenly stopped reporting his court dates? I know much more about this man and his recent parish but feel like I am in a rubber raft in a sea filled with piranhas..
This is part of the legal process which seems to go on and on and on forever jesse. These first wave of courtdates are heard in remand court – there will be another courtdate set. Usually there is nothing of great note happening other than one side or the other perhaps requesting , for example, disclosure of certain documents, or a request for more time to read through files, or simply a request for another court date.
The hearings are over and done with in a flash. Remand court handles a whole series of such cases each day it sits – there many be 20 or 30 or more. Often it is a Justice of the Peace on the bench. Each case is called and addressed ever so briefly and an agreement is made on the next court date. In the case of priests, they usually are not in court for this series of courtdates other than for the first appearance (Father Amesse managed to avoid that) . Their own lawyer may or maybe there or may send a representative from the firm to speak to the issue. If a Crown has been assigned to handle the file the same holds true: the assigned Crown may be there, or may have someone else from the Crown’s office addressing the case.
These dates will continue until a decision is made to take the the case to trial, or the accused enters a guilty plea. I often refer to this part of the process as the revolving door. It will probably carry on for at least a year from the time charges are laid, sometimes longer .
As for the media, you would have to ask them why they don;t keep tabs on the dates.
Stay afloat jesse.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
A date for a preliminary hearing for Father Amesse has been booked:
21 December 2015: 10 am, courtroom #2, Preliminary Hearing, Ottawa Ontario courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
Good news on one hand, but, four days before Christmas on the other.
The court has been booked for one day.
Preliminary hearings are open to the public, but are generally always under a publication ban of all evidence and testimony. You can attend. The media can attend. No one can publicly report evidence or testimony.
I
I guess for the legal system this is pretty good progress….but this is still a very long time to wait, almost a year, for those involved/in so much pain. My sincere prayers to all involved. I wish more could be done to speed things up.
Have there been any updates? The preliminary hearing was today.
“In his book ‘The Priest: His Dignity and Obligations’ St John Eudes wrote that God permits bad priests as a sign that He is thoroughly angry with His people.”
It’s people and comments like this that worry me.
Fr Amesse I believe has a darker side. Time will tell.
Father Stephen Amesse’s next court date is:
05 February 2016: 09:30 am, Assignment Court, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
Please note that this is NOT his trial. This is a routine part of the process of the charges moving to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice after he was committed to stand trial in that court. Father Amesse will probably NOT be in court on Friday – whether he is or is not there, and the proceedings will be over in a matter of minutes with another court date set.
I still encourage those who can do so to attend. While there is usually nothing of great significance happening at these court dates, it sometimes can be interesting.
Please keep the complainant in your prayers.
The next court date for Father Stephen Amesse is:
29 February 2016: Pre trial (NOT open to the public), Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
Note that this is NOT open to the public. This is discussions regarding the case, evidence and/or trial between both parties, usually in the presence of a judge. The accused – in this case Father Amesse – is usually not present.
The next court-date for Father Stephen Amesse is:
08 April 2016: 09:30 am, Assignment court, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
Hopefully this will be to set a trial date, but, ….no guarantees 🙁
Please keep the complainant in your prayers
may the truth prevail.
According to her, Amesse had been helping with the recent restoration work being done on the church and he had a good rapport with parishioners.
The next court date for Father Stephen Amesse is not available yet. I will try again tomorrow.
The next court date for Father Stephen Amesse is:
09 May 2016: 12:30 pm. pre-trial, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
I am quite certain that this will NOT be open to the public – it is lawyers from both sides meeting with the judge, usually in chambers. I have left a message and am awaiting a call back to either confirm or refute this. It often takes one business day to get the call back, so, there may be no further news until tomorrow afternoon. The one for sure is that the next court date is 09 May 2016.
Please keep the complainant in your prayers.
Please note: The pre-trial scheduled for 09 May 2016 will be conducted in chambers. It is NOT open to the public. This is the norm for pre-trials here (In some provinces the lingo is different and what we in Ontario refer to as a preliminary hearing they refer to as a pre-trial. It gets confusing 🙁 but, I always like to double check to be 100% sure.)
So, there’s no need of even thinking of going to the courthouse. 10:1 Father Amesse won’t even be be there – usually it’s just lawyers with the judge. I will find out the next day what his next court date is and post.
The next court date for Father Stephen Amesse is:
18 May 2016: pre-trial, (in chambers, NOT open to the public) Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
Please keep the complainant in your prayers.
How many “pre-trials” does this guy get?!!!!! Is this a “go past GO and collect $200.00”? Get on with it for God’s sake! He’s been “spoken to” so many times he must be blue in the face by now! Mike.
Mike, his ears are blocked by the wax from some candles he stood too close to at some point while he secretly viewed his next victims.
I know people who think he is great- so that is what kind of an upside-down world we live in. God Bless.
A trial date has been set. The trial, scheduled to run for seven days next year, will commence Monday 06 March 2017
Prior to trial there is one day scheduled for a pre-trial motion:
19 January 2017: 10 am, pre-trial motion, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
Please keep the complainant in your prayers.
After this July’s Supreme Court ruling can’t he ask for a dismissal – its been more than 18-months since he’s been charged? (I’m asking the question not making a statement)
It’s scary to think that someone could do something so vile, and even scarier to think that the Catholic Church could just sweep this under the rug. Not only did I attend Sacred Heart High School, my family and I knew him. For him to have been released on bond is absurd. Molesters/rapists and murderers should never be bailed out of prison. He deserves to stay in prison for the remainder of his life. I don’t care who you are, you hurt anyone like that, especially a kid, you deserve to suffer in prison for the rest of your life.
You are assuming he is guilty! No other victims have even come forward and the guys who claims he did this has a long sorted history of making unfounded accusations against many people. Dial it back till it’s proven in court .
Exactly! why? just tell me why is everyone saying he is guilty? that there have been many who did this, yes, just as many teachers have done it and does this make all teachers rapists? I just cannot understand what proof do all these people have to keep saying he is actually guilty!
What a cruel bunch you are. I can’t say that I’m surprised- I have seen complainants maligned and vilified in the past by “good” Catholics. I have read about it many times more.
In this case no sooner were the charges laid than this young man and his family were being dragged through the gutter and their every action and word blown out of proportion .
Shame on every single one of you!
Thank goodness I was in court to witness and hear the animus first hand. Thank goodness I had the good fortune to meet and spend time with the complainant, his family and friends. They are good decent people who are going through an extremely difficult time.
You’re a disgrace. All of you. A disgrace.
God bless you Sylvia. Thank you for advocating for victims. You are a guardian angel!
wow! everyone is a disgrace because they disagree with you? You call yourself a devout catholic but are the first one to throw the stone? what happened to you that led you to do all you are doing? who harmed you so hard that you want to destroy everyone with your words…And if you are so catholic, then do not only ask to pray for the complainant and his family but also for the priest, EVEN if he is guilty, he also needs prayer and he also has family….Ms. Devout Catholic, have you heard about praying for everyone? I believe Jesus said this, or, what kind of Catholic faith do you profess? And by the way, I hope you are objective and fair enough to let this comment be published and not only the ones that are convenient to you…
I was there too and it’s clear you have no idea any of the history here at all. If you are going to be reporting facts then please get them straight and stop favoring one party or the other till they have been tried. You should be ashamed of yourself. Even the priests who are guilty are very sick individuals and need serious help!!!!
sigh……. you think THEY are the ones who need help? you are just as “sick” as they are. Priests do not rape children because they are attracted to children…… no they pick their victims because children are easier to keep quiet. Any rapist attacks an adult and no one runs to their aid saying”aww but they are sick”……. but you have no problem spitting in the faces of people who were victims as children, suddenly the accused’s rights are more important. There are many survivors on this site, all your comments are is insulting.
My rapist wasn’t a creepy pedo in public or professionally …… that is in my opinion how they create their own supporters. If it is only the victims who know what they are capable of…. then the priests supporters will do as you have Kelly….. and publicly call the victim a liar.
Ditto
This is not a rape case. Stick to the case facts.
Charged December 2014 after nine month investigation. Charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual interference. Charges date to 2008 – relate to allegations of sex abuse of a 14-year-old boy – police say the abuse happened at a church.
I am curious to know what you think rape is?
I support you Kelly no matter how much they insult or disagree with us…people NEEDS to be fair, although it is kind of understandable that if they are victims they will believe anyone who claims to be a victim even if their facts are not straight
Maybe you should stop just seeing everything from one side and actually talk to both parties your talking about people’s lives here on both sides and you are not judge and jury.
yet you are doing the same thing …. you have called the accuser a liar in this very post ….. practice what you preach!
No I did not
kelly says:
March 14, 2017 at 4:00 pm
You are assuming he is guilty! No other victims have even come forward and the guys who claims he did this has a long sorted history of making unfounded accusations against many people. Dial it back till it’s proven in court .
Kind of sounds like it to me.
There was no rape charge here. In was at trial and everyone including the police had their own lawyers this case is messed up on many levels.
When a rape case is in the courts the charge is sexual assault …….. Most of us on this site have either gone through the court process or ( like me ) are currently going through this process. Don’t try to BS us with this kind of crap.
I was at the trial there is no rape in this trial. Please read sylvias case notes it’s all covered there
you can say it is not a rape case all you want …. he is charged with sexual assault …… it is a rape case.
Well Kelly, any Priest in this day and age, who can stand up in a court of law and say he does not understand the concept of “grooming” even AFTER it is explained to him, is either stupid, evasive or outrightly lying. Mr. Amesse is an educated man and it strikes me as rather odd, that he would CHOOSE to lie about that particular concept, the only reason he would have to lie is if he indeed “groomed” the child and KNOWS he did… so he’s now been caught in one lie what else is he lying about? His entire testimony is now in question…
I’m not talking g about any other case I have no idea and no business commenting on anyone else’s case or experience. I think anyone in any position of authority who commits these disgusting Crimes should be punished to the fullest extent of then law and even more please dont twist my words.
Joe B, thank you for your very intelligent and compassionate input. I am astounded that some people believe because “only” one victim (hero) has come forward (so far), that sexual assaults could not have happened. Evidently some people are also ignorant of what defines sexual assault. Faulting the victim is cruel beyond belief. Sitting in that courtroom, watching the pedophile supporters snickering and rolling their eyes was an ugly and unfair attempt to minimize the serious nature of his crimes. These insensitive and juvenile behaviours, exhibited by adults, only added to the trauma of the victim and inflicted further pain on the family. The pedophile supporters (blind sheep) are completely heartless and lacking in compassion. I wonder how they would be were it their child? No child should EVER be alone with a priest, no child should EVER know details of a priests naked body, no child should EVER, FOR ANY REASON, shower in a priests bathroom, no child should EVER be kissed on the lips by a priest – need I continue? If these facts alone do not cause you to question the innocence of the accused, then you have no heart and are solely lacking in intelligence. May God have mercy on you because you have no souls. Just my own personal opinion.
These are not facts these were testimony on behalf of the complaintant.
Debby did not quote any testimony. She was simply stating her own observations from the trial.
She said they were facts.
“She” is stating what SHE believes are facts. “She” is going by observations that point to truth, not disbelief. You think the complainant has ulterior motives? Who would put themselves through this devastating ordeal were it not true? This is exactly why others do not come forward. Those who do, are heroes in my eyes. How many children has this particular victim saved from the same fate at the hands of a predator hiding behind a priests robes?
Just as the priest’s testimony is not fact Kelly? Yet you believe him
Kelly, ignorance is bliss if you are a child ,and only under special circumstances.
As an adult, ignorance is reckless and irresponsable. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. I suggest you pull your head out of the sand
Time will show the facts, at which time you may find yourself guilty of this crime by the encouraging and/ or enabling of his crimes and claim of innocence. Comments like yours is enough to keep other victims silenced. Perhaps you are on payroll for the church and you are seeking job security.
Her comments are insulting, sadly I have met her kind many times in my own case. These supporters of rapists have no class, and I feel like they are just as responsible for the abuse as the accused, but that is just my opinion.
Brenda, the thought did cross my mind that this one may be employed by the church. What other reason does she have to come here, beating the drum for the accused, while calling the victim a liar?
I should have said these supporters of ACCUSED rapists have no class.
How in the name of all that is good and holy could ANYONE think it would be prudent to buy a young man or young woman a body shaver? Gives me the creeps big time!
Sylvia – you’ve made a REALLY good point! You ask the question “how could the good Father Amesse not know what grooming is?”
He doesn’t want to know! Ask any reputable Doctor who is the most difficult person in the world to diagnose. The good Doctor will tell you “the most difficult person in the world to diagnose is myself”!
I strongly suspect a personality disorder here. Father Amesse is not capable of assuming responsibility for his actions. He has convinced himself that he is perfectly fine, and everyone else in the world is nuts.
Histrionic Personality Disorder is very well known to me – Father Amesse’s attitude of omnipotence, denial, and grossly inflated self-image is characteristic. He is VERY glib, and so full of himself that he cannot see any fault whatsoever in himself. He’s a “Rock Star”, deserving of eternal worship and adoration!
I hope, regardless of the judicial proceedings, that he is offered and graciously accepts any help that he requires.
He should not be a Catholic Priest! Mike.
I agree
Sylvia – your admonishment is well spoken. I am sorry if my comment is taken as an assumption of criminal guilt. It wasn’t meant to be. I just find Father’s behaviour with this boy EXTREMELY INAPPROPRIATE AT BEST. This IS grooming at it’s highest level. A Catholic priest………? Mike.
I think regardless of the verdict things happened that were very inappropriate and yes I totally agree he needs serious help.
Just as important (maybe more) is the fact that Robert and his family deserve support and caring as well. I know how I would have felt had this been my own son. Mike.
Originally Robert’s father wanted the church to pay them off then when the church refused they barged him. All I know is if I thought my child was abused sexually or otherwise I could not be bought I would not even entertain moneu first I would want the person punished to the full extent of the law.
Kelly, enough already with your attempts to vilify this family. It is so obvious you have no love or sympathy for them. You believe the gossip spread by other supporters of the accused, you seem blind to the narcissistic denials of the accused but are too quick to just dismiss the victim and his family as the villains. Am I seeing a bit of hero worship on your part towards the accused? It must come as a shock to think he could be a predator. I am guessing from your comments in this discussion, that you are very young, trusting, and perhaps going by what you hear from church members. I am not a psychologist but I just want to say that narcissistic sociopaths are very skilled at deceiving and fooling even those who have lived long and have experiences in life that a young person could not comprehend. Keep your eyes and heart open. There are people who will disappoint you in life, even those you should least suspect. Please, walk a mile in this victim’s shoes, and his family. Realize the horror of finding out someone you trusted and invited into your home has harmed your child. If only for a moment, put yourself in the victim’s place, walk a mile in his shoes. Realize the profound trauma of this kind of abuse and manipulation. It has both short term and long term effects on the person’s life, as a child and into adulthood. It is DEVASTATING! Just as it is devastating to put yourself out there by coming forward, exposing yourself to haters like you, having your life put under a condemning microscope, having your name dragged through the mud. The victim is painted as the villain and the villain has his entourage of blind supporters paraded in front of him. The victim has not brought this on himself, has not caused the priest to sin. The victim was a child victim, not the villain. I see the victim as victim no more but a survivor, a hero who has spared God only knows how many more new victims. Open your eyes and heart to innocence shattered, by a predator hiding in priests robes. I would also ask you to read Matthew 18: 6, see what God says about people like Amesse.
I’m not young and I am a victim of sexual abuse as well. Each case is different you cannot lump all priests into the same category they are people also just as the victims are people. There are people who are very messed up look at case where the father took the blame for the priest that is very sick. Your dealing with two people’s lives here and neither one should be deemed guilty or not until proven so. There are facts in this case on both sides that say there is a history with both parties regarding things that are questionable. I have met many who claimed they were victims and were in fact not we are living in a messed up world these days so all sides need to be taken into account. Also if people dont bring up facts on both sides then one side is automatically favored. This is a process.
so you repeatedly call the victim a liar? you are full of it kelly
Joe and you are a bigot. I clearly several times said no one knows who is telling the truth! Go get some glasses.
umm how exactly am I a bigot?
If we are resorting to name calling let me know ….. I have a few good ones for you.
Look it up! Someone who does not accept others views. Your a bigot. I have said from the beginning that I have no ide which party is at fault here or who is lying , and you have done nothing but bully me and be rude to me. You don’t know these people anymore then I do who are you go judge what the outcome of this trial is.
Call me whatever you want if you need to make yourself feel better.
No I will not accept your views!!! you have called the victim a liar at least twice on this page, You don’t know more than anyone else here. If it comes out that he is telling the truth you can’t really take that back now can you……. this is what set me off ……. there are a lot of similarities between this case and my own, this is why I am reacting to it. Your words hurt, and not just the people involved in this case.
Sorry you are taking this personally but I take personally my words being twisted, and people being bigoted against certain people because of their employ. You are one sided because of your experience, you lump all of the clergy in the same basket and that is a bigot. You have no idea my history I was molested by a family member does that mean I hate them all?
did other members of your family conspire to make you look like a liar? did they kick you out of the house for speaking up about it? did they throw money at you to keep you quiet so your abuser could go on with his abuse on others?I am sorry that this happened to you, and you deserve peace over it ……. but you have no clue what we as victims of clergy abuse go through, we have entire church communities vilifying us just because we spoke up. No ones dares speak out against victims of sexual assault these days …… unless the abuser was a priest ….. then it is open season on the victim.
And I think that is horrible and so wrong on every level . I think that is inexcusable and that they don’t do nearly enough to catch the priests and clergy who are doing it. I think the cover ups and the buy offs are horrible for a institution to do to try and silence the victims. I am only speaking on this trial and I personally know both parties I was contacted and gave a statement to the police at the beginning of all of this. I in no way want to demean or make statements on any other trials at all I think the actions of these men Is inexcusable and there is no punishment fitting for it.
I don’t recall any such testimony at the trial Kelly.
I just checked my notes. I don’t see anything.
I do recall attempts to paint the family as money grubbers. That was clarified by Robert’s mother: she explained that her instant response when Robert told her he had been abused/assaulted by Father Amesse was anger and she blurted out to Robert something to the effect of ‘We’re going to sue the Church. We’re getting a lawyer.” There never was nor is there now a lawyer, and there was no plan to sue. It was the instant response of an extremely and understandably distraught mother.
But, there was nothing indicating in any way shape or form that the father had tried to get money from the archdiocese.
This begs the question Kelly. Where did you hear this? Who is spreading this rumour? and, more to the point, why?
We are going to sue means get money it does not mean see that that priest is prosecuted to the fullest extent. That’s my opinion.
OMGOSH Kelly! Please re-read all your comments through this dialogue. You have consistently contradicted yourself, defended the priest and maligned the victim and his family. You have waffled between agreeing with a supporter of the victim and then go back on the attack. You have verbally attacked and insulted those who have been supportive of this victim. IF in fact you were abused, as you say, I am shocked that you would take such a stance, as someone who SHOULD understand. If you were believed and supported, then good for you. However, I stand by my observations that you appear quite young and have very little understanding of how shock, shame, anger, grief, and pain affect the victim and the victim’s family and friends. I will cease to reply to your juvenile retorts as it serves no purpose in this dialogue, except to inflame, blame and cause more grief to those of us with compassion and a conscience.
Just because they may have had the idea of suing in their head, it DOES NOT mean they won’t go to the police to have him prosecuted …….. you can actually do both.
Kelly, So your role was to paint the family as money grubbers? I see.
Kelly,
It’s more than apparent from your comments that you don’t understand our flawed system. I personally went to the police with no results, the case was swept under the table with minimal to no investigation, have you read the globe and mails 20 month investigation on how Canadian police forces neglect to investigate and mark cases as unfounded. When the police do nothing, the archdiocese does nothing, what does a survivor do? I called to speak with the Archbishop about the priest who abused me; I was told that a meeting could be arranged but the diocese would have a room full of their lawyers present. I didn’t have a lawyer and wanted to speak one on one with the archbishop. Civil litigation is sometimes the last resort to make the public aware of these monsters in the hope that no other child will have their innocence taken away.
Do you know the guilt that survivors live with? I felt responsible for keeping silent and that if others were abused after me that I was responsible for not coming forward.
The whole process with ignorant, uneducated people like yourself add more trauma to the victim. You have no idea!!!!
I was very blessed in meeting a wonderful family in Eastern Ontario a couple of years back, also at a trial for a Catholic priest. They too were dragged through the mud, but came out as shining examples. If I could, I would be in Ottawa for Robert and his family as well. Mike.
I’ve had the opportunity to observe this priest since his ordination, and find that Mr. Fitzgerald’s assessment (below) is in large part accurate. Fr. Amesse ran Holy Spirit parish with a small coterie of syncophantic parishioners and staff who supported him without question while he attempted to operate it as a personal fiefdom with as little diocesan direction as possible. As a legacy of his experience in the federal political environment, he mastered well the art of glad-handing and networking with the powerful. My reading of the Bible, however, suggests the shepherd’s preoccupation should be with the vulnerable, the weak, the marginalized, and the lost. Again we must confront the complex issue of screening candidates for the priesthood, and of ensuring their motivation in pursuing that vocation is not a personal hunger for status, power, and flattery.
“Father Amesse’s attitude of omnipotence, denial, and grossly inflated self-image is characteristic. He is VERY glib, and so full of himself that he cannot see any fault whatsoever in himself. He’s a “Rock Star”, deserving of eternal worship and adoration!
I hope, regardless of the judicial proceedings, that he is offered and graciously accepts any help that he requires.”
Well Roland looks as if you falsely accused yet another!
My question to you Kellys is have you had to live with a victim of abuse that was not a family member believe me it is a whole other ball game. They go to church for comfort and consolosation not abuse and that causes some major issues .
I’m sure a lot of us have heard the old saying “a skunk smells it’s own stink first”? Most of the populace of North America would agree that the skunk, as beautiful and docile as it is, has a vile potency that should not be fooled with. The skunk also knows this, as they frequently suffer from their very own potency! In this regard, I find the skunk brutally honest and living in the real world.
Now, imagine the criminal courtroom. Mr. Pepi Lepew is on trial, and yours truly (Mike) is the prosecutor. The questioning goes like this:
“Mr. Lepew, you really stink!” Pepi responds “No sir, I do NOT stink”! I again say “Sorry Mr. Lepew, but yes, you really do stink”! Pepi says”No sir I don’t stink. Why just this fine sunny morning, I spent 1/2 an hour rolling around in a patch of lavender”! I say Mr. Lepew, please look around the courtroom. You will see about 40 people with watery eyes, holding their noses, and frowning. Why do you think they are doing this?'” Well, responds Pepi, they must not like the smell of lavender!!!!!
What’s missing here is highlighted in the following list;
Brian Mulroney, Former Canadian Prime Minister “I am entitled to my entitlements!” ( Really Brian? By the way, how is Karl? Do you still have that safety deposit box in New York City?)
Bill Clinton Former President of the United States “I did NOT have sexual relations with THAT woman (Coulda fooled me, Billy! By the way, pass me a cigar please)
Former Chancellor of the Diocese of Pembroke – Yes I have had sex with other men, but I’m NOT homosexual (Huh? Come on Bob! Really?)
Former priest and school principal in Windsor – testifying in his own defense says “I really didn’t think I was doing anything wrong”! (Come on Hod! You aren’t really that stupid, are you – after 30 some victims?)
Unnamed incarcerated in Millhaven – Loved to rob banks, it gave me a high – but I’m not a thief. (Really!?!?)
Al Gore former United States Vice-President – now independently wealthy because of his efforts to “save the planet” (Hey Al, how did you manage to pay for the 240,000 kilowatt hours it took to run your mansion, heat your pool, and supply air-conditioning?)
Father Stephen Amesse Archdiocese of Ottawa – on trial for sexual offenses, states in court, eye to eye with the judge, that he doesn’t understand what is meant by “grooming”! (Come on Steve, you just finished co-authoring a huge paper called “From Pain to Hope”. Your buddy Frank Morrisey asked you to help him in this endeavor because you are so smart and well-informed on the subject of clergy sexual abuse!)
All of the above, including Mr. Pepi Lepew, have one glaring thing in common. They are all morally and ethically destitute! Legal criminal proceedings aside, these people (degenerates) had NO business being our leaders, whether spiritually or temporally. They (all) have lived a life of false entitlement, and have caused irreparable harm to thousands.
I am so disgusted that I am having real difficulty putting my thoughts into words! Hot oil nude body massages, gifts of money, travel, booze, shaving a 15 year old boy’s penis and scrotum – He’s a catholic priest for God’s sake, not a massage therapist!!!!!
Get him out before he harms someone else! With all respect due to Robert and his family, Catholic’s deserve far better than this sad excuse for a priest.
You can well imagine what I would have to say if this man was appointed pastor in my grandkids and nieces and nephew’s home parish. Not pretty!!! Mike.
At the risk of being a nitpicker, it was fellow Cape Bretoner David Dingwall who was “entitled to his entitlements”, not PM Mulroney (although I don’t doubt he would agree with that sentiment).
My congratulations to all of you here who suffer through some tremendously ignorant victim-blaming comments and don’t simply explode with rage.
I run the risk here of moderation by Sylvia, but here goes. Something really wrong down in Ottawa!!!!! Talk about “connecting the dots”!!
The Archbishop, along with subordinate priests O’Hanley (previously convicted), King, and Amesse (before the courts) collaborating on guidelines for dealing with clergy sexual abuse!!!
This, to me, is like asking a convicted break and enter artist to guard your home while you are away on vacation.
This should be about the Catholic Church, spiritual direction and well-being – not sexual deviancy! This REALLY stinks!!!!! Mike.
Mike Mc. – you were right on the money! Mike.
Well said Mike, and as a gracious contributor to this site, it is perfectly understandable that once in a while you have to call it the way you see it!
Geenda – God help us all, if this is what the Catholic Church has fallen to. Mike.
One more thing, before I run completely out of breath. I personally have seen the toll these court cases have on the administrator of this site. I still am not entirely sure of where she gets her fortitude, patience, and stamina.
Sylvia, we all owe you for your endless support and encouragement. I know how rending and heart-breaking it is for you to watch and report on these sad, horrible cases. You sit there on behalf of each and every one of us, and unerringly report back so that we know we are being properly informed, and vocally supported.
May God bless you, and continue to give you (and Mike) the mountain of strength necessary to continue the struggle! Thank you.
I just wish the church would do the same. Mike.
Agreed, Mike. Sylvia singlehandedly brought the Grollier Hall Residential School trials in northern Canada to the attention of the public in southern Canada. Her reporting was balanced, she spoke with those affeccted, and she is compassionate and articulate. Moreover, she has an amazingly diverse following.
I again saw her networking skills, accurate reporing and compassion at work when an Oblate pedopriest was exposed, “found” in Belgium, returned to Canada and tried in Iqaluit.
Congrats to Mike on his retirement. Thank you for all you both do. I am in awe.
Just curious, Sylvia. Are you aware if the Crown has this further information on “Eric”? It may appear that Mr. Carew and Father Amesse would not want this information to come out in court. Mike.
Bob – you are entirely right! I do however recall Mr. Mulroney referring to “entitlements” in his pathetic statements of defense regarding his safety deposit box in New York City.
Sorry about the confusion! In the heat of the moment, my mouth went into gear before my brain slipped out of neutral. Mike.
Catholic educators were twice told to be quiet on Wednesday morning’s court proceedings. They were murmuring so much that Crown could not do her job. Judge threatened to kick them out but did not.
Educators supported alleged pedophile and yet felt no allegiance to their former student? These professed believers in Catholic teachings assumed Amesse was innocent and victim was not credible. So, innocent until proven guilty but liar until proven credible? Hmm.. Double (hypocritical) standard here.
These educators further traumatized Robert by being in court. They could have supported Amesse in other ways (and did!). By being there teachers reneged on their oath as educators to protect youth in favor of a career-enhancing or victim public-shaming tactics.
Educators had allegiances to both former student AND colleague. They chose the latter.
Sorry Suzie, your comment got lost somehow. I just came across it now.
The next court date for Father Stephen Amesse is:
07 April 2017: 09:30, Assignment court (to set date for rendering verdict), Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
This will be to set a court date for the judge to render his verdict. In other words, on 07 April there will a court date set – which is agreeable all parties, ie Judge, Crown and defence – to render the verdict .
Please keep the complainant and his family in your prayers.
“Thank you” seems far too simple in expressing my continued gratitude and appreciation for you Sylvia. I know I am not alone in my admiration of your tireless efforts and support for victims of these horrendous abuses. God has surely sent a guardian angel to earth, to advocate for the hurting. It has been an honour and a privilege to meet you and spend time with you. May God bless you abundantly with strength and comfort in your journey for justice.
The mens rea element will perhaps exonerate Father Amesse because our criminal procedure system is designed to not risk the sentencing of an innocent person. As a result many who are guilty appear to walk away freely. I lament that once again catholic supporters of an accused priest have attacked a complainant. It is not what Christ would have done with the kid in the Father Amesse case. That’s not loving one’s ennemies. Father Amesse and his followers may fundraise and talk about charity but there is nothing charitable about what they have done. It is unsheating one’s own sword and cutting one`s own ear. It is the denial of even knowing Jesus. And in the end it is the refutation of one’s own faith. Father Amesse was a witness for Stephen Amesse in a case that does not even involve a healer who may or may have not have lived in the Middle-East 2000 years ago. For clerical abuse does not only involve criminal offences and civil torts: it is also the incarnation of unbelief in this world. If Father Amesse did it; he may well appear to walk as a free man and his followers will say that they have been vindicated. But he is already dead in eternity and his followers, unjustified.
Hear all these things unhearing Sylvia: hear the unspeakable, hear the unspoken; hear the short-spoken and hear the misspoken. Hear all these things in the name of your God who has no name. Hear with your heart God whispering all their names. And love how Love so silently loves you.
People who do the things that Father Steve is accused of are master manipulators. Most of those around them aggressively defend them when they are accused, and can even be manipulated into attacking the accusers (often spreading lies about the victim that have been planted with surgical precision by the manipulator). People defending them honestly believe that the manipulator is a nice person who is being railroaded… Very smart, successful, and well-intentioned people get sucked in, not just the ones who appear as “sycophantic” suck-ups… Manipulators have successfully pulled the wool over the eyes of fellow priests, nuns, and bishops, who absolutely believed them and even protected them with the purest of intentions (I am not referring to the ones that did the cover-ups – they cannot be forgiven). Manipulators are sickly sweet with people that they need, and know what buttons to push and how to push them. They are incapable of empathy and will stop at nothing to manipulate.
Many people commenting here seem to have made up their minds. They either believe that Father Steve is a master manipulator, or that the victim is a sociopathic liar who is angry over some perceived slight. One thing for certain is that there are not enough facts in the public domain for anybody to honestly know one way or the other. All we can do is pray for justice…
Father Amesse`s mental state was not on trial. His plea did not involve a mental incapacity component. And so it must be presumed that Father Amesse is capable of empathy. However I think you are correct regarding the manipulation element involved in abusing another human being. Clerical abuse is not about sex per se but about control/power. Human sexuality involves much more that it`s bio mechanics: it also reaches deep into one`s soul. And as priests are trained to manage the welfare of one`s soul (the word management being from the italian “maneggiare” and/or the french “manège” and referring to the concept of horsemanship) seminaries and religious orders super-train(ed) perverts to groom primary and indeed, secondary victims. If Father Amesse is convicted and/or when his appeals of his conviction have all been denied he might enter into the equation an element of mental health to mitigate his sentence – if he receives any.
Jimmy – I agree with you entirely wit regards to justice being done. However, Father Steve could be both innocent of these charges, and remain a master manipulator, no?
I personally have not made up my mind, because I know so little about the case. I do, however find Father Steve’s personal behaviour completely unbecoming of a Roman Catholic priest. Mike.
Mike – of course he (or anybody) could be both innocent and still be a master manipulator. If he did the things that the person allegedly said that he did in the trial (I say allegedly not calling anybody a liar but because I was not there) then I agree about poor personal behaviour. The press will dig into this after the trial and stories quoting actual testimony with some investigative journalism will be written. We will then have a better idea. It is fair to believe that he might be guilty given the fact that the police took it this far. It is equally fair to believe that the accuser might be a liar, because nobody else came forward. As long as people are using words like “maybe” “might” “possibly” and “allegedly” at this point based on what is publicly available then they cannot be faulted for comments in my opinion.
I have been to a few of his masses and didn’t get the “Rock Star” impression. That said I have never interacted with him one on one, nor have I been with him in a small group.
Yes many people commenting here have made up their minds, because we, as the public, are not bound by “innocent until proven guilty”, that does not apply to the court of public opinion. Many on this site have been down this road, or are currently navigating the court system, and like myself personally, see many similarities between this case, and our own experiences. So, of course we are going to see this differently than someone who say, attended mass with the accused a few times and was never given a reason to not trust him.
Well said!
Can you not call him Father Steve. He is not a priest anymore! Thanks everyone! Kelly you don’t seem too toooooo bright. In fact I’m questioning wether or not you are a Stephen Amesse supporter! Debby and Mike seem like their against a manipulative Ex priest who prays on young victim’s. And Sylvie you are an Angel !
John,
My brother is a good priest. He will be Father Stephen forever. He does not prey on young victims. As you judge others, God will judge you.
Father Michael AMESSE, OMI
Michael,
Two people know the truth. Our Father in heaven knows the absolute truth. The fact that I believe the victim does not mean I am judging your brother. No matter the verdict, I am consoled by The Word, specifically Matthew 18:6
Amen!
He will always be fr. Steve to the students who support him!
What happened with the verdict today?
I haven’t seen or heard anything Melanie, but the court date today was actually supposed to be to set a date for verdict. Things can change at the last minute, but that’s what it was supposed to be for.
Was anyone there who can pass on news of the outcome? Barring that, or media coverage, we will have to wait until Monday to find out.
You are the one taking care of this circus Sylvia and cannot even inform, “Was anyone there who can pass on news of the outcome?” wow! well, the judge did not show up, even I that do not know the priest and do not even live in Canada know. I am honest when I say, I will pray really hard for you Sylvia, this is just getting out of hand, people is fighting with each other when they just imply and suppose, they have no proof and the truth, only God and the two implicated know…You must be very happy with your work, “advocating for victims” and making people enemies along the way…God bless you
Actually it is the Roman Catholic Church who is “taking care” of this circus. Most priests can be googled, but when the church knows something is before the courts, they scrub any mention of the accused priest from the internet.
It happened with my abuser, and if you google amesse, It happened with him as well. This is how they take care of things, when they cannot be sent for “treatment”, or move him to another parish in another city, they simply pretend he doesn’t exist. Or even worse ….. they have supporters like yourself try to intimidate or otherwise try to cause conflict with the victim, or with victims advocates! Try to be a better person.
Adriana – you are pushing buttons here that once started, cannot be stopped. This site is not a “circus”, as you say. Sylvia reports on these cases factually, for all of our good.
It is immaterial how the courts find in the case of your friend Fr. Amesse. What IS material here is his behaviour, which is NOT becoming of a Roman Catholic priest. That’s just my take on it, because I have been trying really hard lately to rekindle and reclaim my old faith which was lost at the hands of a “brother” priest of Fr. Ameese, namely Father Henry Maloney.
Were it not for Sylvia, and her continuing support, I would not be seeking this return to my old faith.
By the way, to my knowledge Sylvia is NOT paid by anyone when she takes it on herself to travel to these court cases so she can report back to we victims. She does this at her own expense. As I said earlier, I have personally witnessed the heavy toll these cases take on her. It’s not a pretty sight, but she continues anyway.
You have even admitted that you do not know Sylvia, that you do not know the accused priest. Do you even know anything about the history of the Archdiocese of Ottawa? Do you know anything at all about the alleged victim, or his family?
Please think about these questions, and maybe say a prayer for yourself as well. Mike.
I guess what I’m trying to say to you Adriana, is that you are doing exactly what you are condemning others for doing! Please think about it. Mike.
I am really sorry about anything that has happened to you…I never said she is being paid…what makes you think he is my friend? he is not, I actually live in another part of the world…The sad thing is that you being a victim will not help you see things objectively…I will definitely not argue with you, again, it would not be fair…About praying about myself, well, you have no idea how much I do it every day, and lastly, if you want to “rekindle” your faith don’t look for it here on earth or with the help of a mortal, we are so imperfect, look for it from God, he always puts things right where they are supposed to be, and at its perfect timing…And I do pray for the victims, as well as for those who did wrong, now, you have no idea how I got to learn about this case, and yes about the Ottawa cases too….I also believe you have a long way to go and I pray that God holds your hand along the way, God, not sylvia or a judge or anyone from earth…Again, don’t listen to me…I am no one
By the way…in the place where I live, there was a time last year when there were several cases of school teachers (public school) having inappropriate relationships with students, all were proven but one. In this case, it was a teacher where another case had occurred. So everyone jumped to the conclusion that it was true. Social media was full of insults to the teacher, and many victims of other cases, said “you need to believe the victim” and well yes, you need to believe but also investigate… It took a year, this teacher lost everything until this girl decided that, well, she was upset because she did not pass the course, she set him up, friends acted as witnesses, but the teacher had never even touched her…But it was necessary to believe he was the monster she said, because he was a colleague of the one who in fact had committed a similar crime, and what? They are all the same? I do not know, how can I? I am not defending any of them, maybe the truth will never come out, maybe an injustice will be done, only one thing for sure, whoever is lying here (the priest or the man) will not escape from God’s justice…
Adrianna – no disrespect intended, but I do not agree with you. I actually have a very objective view of what is going on here, and it isn’t pretty!
The problem I have is that you have not addressed any concerns that I have brought up, not that you should feel the need to do so. However, since you have continued the dialogue, so will I.
You have accused Sylvia of running a “circus” here. What do you mean by that? She does not force any of us here on her site to voice our own opinions. She actually has set the stage for us to be free in voicing our opinions, which you obviously do not agree with. Why?
You have not addressed my own opinion that the good |Father’s behaviour is completely unbecoming of a |Roman Catholic priest, regardless of the outcome of the criminal court proceedings. Why?
I too believe in the power of prayer, but at some point in time one must draw a line in the sand and say, yes God will judge us in the end, but while we are here on planet earth we have the responsibility to police ourselves. Can you imagine our lives if we just turned a continuous blind eye to criminal behaviour, with the bland excuse that “don’t worry, God will judge it all in the end”?
With regards to your advice about rekindling and reclaiming my faith, yes I will look to God for help with this, BUT I find it incumbent on the church that taught me all about God, to start practising what it preaches. Without this, I have great difficulty.
Last but not of course least is your comment that “I have a long way to go”. Just who do you think you are to say this? Are you a first cousin of our maker? Are you privy to some information that most of us are not?
As I said earlier, maybe say a couple of prayers for yourself, not just one. You have elevated yourself above us mere mortals with your comments, so I must assume that you are indeed privy to something that myself, and many of the rest of us are not.
You’ve got this all wrong Adriana. Maybe if you took the time to research this site, and maybe even contact Sylvia directly, you would see an entirely different view. Give it a try. Mike.
I will reply just once, you are right when you say I shouldn’t be here…my mistake was to read and disagree with some comments and I felt free to voice my opinion, OPINION… I guess if someone disagrees here, he has no right to write anything but to keep quiet. Of course, no priest should behave in any bad way, just as no teacher, no doctor, no policeman, no one who has some kind of trust relationship with the community, I just don’t think that because of one, everyone is the same. I never said that we must turn blind to criminal behavior expecting for God’s justice, I said that no matter who is lying, God knows the truth and it will definitely come out…also I don’t believe on prayer limits. You are right about the church having to do what they teach, I have felt the same way several times… I told you before, I don’t say only one prayer for myself , if you read again, I wrote “you have no idea how much I do it every day” which means, I pray a lot for myself as I know I need it…I honestly don’t get how I elevated myself, I even wrote to you “I am no one” and I repeat, I am no one… I am sorry if you took it wrong when I wrote that you have a long way to go, I believe that we all have a very long way until we reach that place we all need to be in, or at least, if something that bad would have happened to me, I know that it would be a long way for me to heal, but maybe you are stronger, and the way is shorter. You say I got it all wrong, fine, maybe it is you who knows something I don’t and can sense when people “got it all wrong” without even knowing them. I will not contact Sylvia, I do not need to and that would be something I would never do…I will go to pray a lot for myself, to get myself down from the place I elevated myself to and had no idea, and for those who in their infinite anger are very quick to judge. May God bless you and leads you to healing and that the truth comes out, while we all pray with our eyes very open.
busman1055@yahoo.ca
Adriana – one further thought. If it were not for Sylvia’s “circus” you would not have a forum to voice your own opinions, which you have done.
You are now part of the “circus”, which you have so thoroughly condemned. Mike.
I want you to know Mike that Father Stephen is my blood brother. I am 6 years older than he. I am very proud of the way he lives his life as a priest. He is innocent. Even if he happens to be removed from his vocation, he will be a priest forever. I have great devotion to St. Gerard Majella. He too was falsely accused; accused by a woman stating he fathered her child. St. Gerard was ostracized by even his religious congregation . The truth came out in the end. He now is the patron of expecting mothers. Perhaps if my brother cooperates with God’s grace, some day he too will be a saint.
OMI? Is that for Oblates? God bless you and protect you from those who persecute…No matter what, people here will go after anyone who disagrees with them, I believe that it is not worth to keep on the conversation with them. They are not being objective and they are so angry that they do not understand or do not want to…As I read the replies to my opinions, I see that they have no idea what I am saying, they are too angry…I was called “first cousin of our maker” just for telling this other man he has a long way to go, I mean if he is telling me that the situation he is going through is terrible, then there must be a long way to go, otherwise it is not that terrible…what I meant is that there is a long way but God will be with him, but again, they only hear what they want to hear, and they will believe anything bad…Now, he tells me to pray for myself and at the same time he tells me that prayer has a limit… I don’t get it and I guess he doesn’t get it either…You say the accused priest is your brother, and I only imagine the pain you are going through, I think we all must get away from this place where everyone is guilty and people condemns and accuse…
“They only hear what they want to hear?” That works both ways doesn’t it? You say mike called you “first cousin to our maker”, when what he actually said was “ARE you first cousin to our maker?” simple question.
Mr. Amesse, as a brother to someone under criminal trial at the moment, you would be best advised to refrain from speaking. And I would particularly suggest you refrain from speaking in a site that is designed to investigate the impact of clerical abuse and to be a place for those who have been victims of such abuse, when your brother is under criminal trial for sexual offences.
Especially with that OMI tag behind his name. OMI is the order who abused me, and they are responsible for the cover up. I know how I feel about seeing that here, I imagine I am not the only one who feels like this either.
Michael, I can only imagine the heartache of seeing your sibling charged with this despicable sexual assault on a child. I feel for you and I understand and acknowledge your position. As you defend your brother, I hope you can have sympathy for the child who was preyed upon.
I know the victim (survivor) and have believed him from the moment he disclosed what your brother did to him. I believed the victim before details came out in open court; details and your brothers own words and behavior, which only confirmed my belief that your brother is guilty as charged. I may be judging but I am judging based on facts, details, evidence and belief in the person who was abused.
I feel it is an affront to all survivors of sexual abuse, by clergy or anyone, to have the accused compared to a saint. Again, I understand he is your brother, but a saint? I am outraged! I suspect I am not alone in my outrage.
You are not alone Debby.
Thank you Joe B. I so appreciate your thoughtful, insightful and relevant input in these dialogues.
Adriana – once more with no disrespect intended, where did you come up with me saying that “you shouldn’t be here”? I can’t find it, and I would not have said that in the first place.
I have asked you a number of questions however, that you refuse to address. That’s okay with me, but making up a false quote is not okay with me. mike.
No Debby, you are certainly not alone in your outrage! I admire your kind words for Michael (I have the exact same feelings), and I also admire the gusto with which you have used in addressing the real issue here.
The defining moment for me regarding this sad story was when the good Father told the court that he did not know what was meant by the term “grooming”.
That statement took this right over the top for me. Mike.
The whole not knowing what grooming is is what made up my mind as well.
I was outraged by the whole saint thing too, but find it hard to respond to someone who is so proud of his brother and his order (the OMI has tormented me for almost 30 years)
Joe B my heart goes out to you and my admiration is immense. Where others would focus only on their own healing, you have bravely put yourself out there, supporting other victims. You are a hero in every sense of the word. These horrendous abuses were meant for evil but by the grace of God, you have turned it for good. I pray that one day you will find “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 LET NO CHURCH TURN YOU AWAY FROM YOUR FATHER GOD.
I am in a very unique situation. Yes I was abused by an OMI priest ….. so I fully understand what other victims are going through. I won’t identify him , but I also have a family member who is a RC priest and he has his very own profile on this site, so I have an understanding of what accused priests families go through.
Also thank you very much for your kind words …… Even though I am no-longer a believer, I do appreciate it.
JoeB. I’ve been following these postings for awhile.
It hurts my heart to see how little has changed through the years the way the Catholic Church is dealing with clergy abuse crimes.
This post of mine is somewhat a satire.
Clergy abuse as I see it…or, it is what it is?
The Catholic hierarchy and so many Catholics see the survivors/victims of abuse in this unique garden.
Each one of those souls might as well make themselves at home in their own special plot in the garden. There are many people like me there, we do share victims’ concern for justice.
The Catholic Church knows what’s best for survivors/victims because these clergymen have been chosen to lead these folks out from that special area of the garden to this eventual bigger, better future paradise.
These Catholic leaders believe they have this private permission given to them to continue to keep escaping justice.
After all, these clergymen are pros at this because they have so much experience under their vestment or I should say belt that goes back way before the pony express days.
Yes…many of these men of God are experts in avoiding jail time.
While hopefully waiting for justice to become reality in each individual victims’ case, these survivors (if they choose?) can take comfort in the Catholic Church’s hierarchy, clergy and many of their supporters, we are in their thoughts and prayers.
Lina
Thank you for your kind words Mike Fitzgerald. As a Christ follower, I try to treat and see others as Jesus would. Not always easy or possible as He was perfect and I am not. Interesting fact – I never knew Jesus as my Lord and Savior until I left the Catholic church. I jokingly refer to myself as “recovered catholic”. I have been blessed to find a Bible based church that feeds my soul “with living water”, not man made rules, rituals, and traditions devised and set by mortal men. But I digress. Please know that I am grateful for your articulate and sensitive replies to those posts that I dare not go near for fear of saying far too much. Thank you for your support on behalf of children whose lives have forever been altered by predators.
Adriana, this is getting a little nasty. While I tend to agree that one’s eyes can be clouded when they themselves have experienced sexual abuse at the hands of a priest, so too can those of us fortunate enough to have had our children remain innocent. Your lack of empathy towards those victims is troublesome. I applaud Mike on his self control and his ability to show respect towards you. I just wish that in every instance where a priest is accused of such a horrible crime, we pray that the truth prevail, rather than pray for a particular verdict. After all, one thing is certain in every instance, we have a victim, whether that be the accused or the accuser. Only one is being truthful. Most often it is the accuser, but sometimes it is the accused, and in those instances they suffer beyond words as well. I’m praying for the truth in every case.
The next court date for Father Stephen Amesse is:
12 May 2017: 09:30, Assignment court (to set date for rendering verdict?), Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.) .
Please keep the complainants in your prayers.
Thanks Bob. Mike.
Decision for Amesse will now be May 2 at 1pm
Thank you Pierre. I had heard that too and yesterday put a call in to the courthouse to confirm – still waiting for a call back, but sounds as though the 2nd is it?
Confirmed by court. The decision/verdict will be rendered at 1 pm, 02 May. I am just heading out now – will update as soon as I get home.
Just want to put it out there: I hear from friends who attend St. Pat’s downtown that Fr. Amesse has been put in charge of the altar boys there.
Praying for a hedge of protection around the young lives at risk with this predator. Lord, protect them from any and all HARM.