Charbonneau: Father Maurice O. Charbonneau

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Father Maurice Charbonneau (from Roots, Ridgetown College newsletter, Fall 2004)

Maurice Charbonneau (from Roots, Ridgetown College newsletter, Fall 2004)

Maurice O. Charbonneau

Father Maurice O. Charbonneau

Father Maurice Charbonneau

Moe Charbonneau

Father Moe Charbonneau

Roman Catholic priest, Diocese of London, Ontario  Ordained 1994.  Removed from parish sometime after allegations made against him Thanksgiving 2017.  In Spring 2018 announcements in various parish bulletins regarding reports of several incidences of  “inappropriate adult relationship” over several years.

Seems to have spent about two years serving in the Diocese of Grand Falls Newfoundland around 2005-2006?

Permanently removed from ministry (that would be in the Diocese of London, Ontario.  He has not been “defrocked.”)

Lawyer Rob Talach is quoted in media reports (see 19 Jan. article below) as saying:  “The Charbonneau victim was abused through his association at St. Mary’s Church and St. John the Evangelist church that’s in Woodslee and Maidstone.”  The article adds that ” the diocese said the priest’s victim was an adult and that it was not the first incident of misconduct. The woman sued the diocese and was compensated, said Talach.”    Charbonneau served in Woodslee and Maidstone more than once, so exacly when this transpired is at this time unknown.

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19 January 2019: “Parishes where ousted priests worked identified by London lawyer” & related article

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Bishops of London Diocese from time of Father Charbonneau’s ordination:      John Michael Sherlock (07 July 1978 – 27 April 2002 ); Ronald Peter Fabbro, C.S.B. (27 April 2002 – – )

Auxiliary Bishops:  Frederick Bernard Henry (18 April 1986 – 24 March 1995);  Richard John Grecco (05 December 1997 – 27 April 2002); Robert Anthony Daniels ( 21 September 2004 to 01 March 2011); Józef Andrzej Dąbrowski, C.S.M.A. ( 31 January 2015 – )

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2004“West Ag Alumni Called to Serve”   (some background info on Father Maurice Charbonneau and word that January 2005 he is heading for a two year assignment in Gander, Newfoundland.  From pages Roots Ridgetown College . Fall 2004 )

Winter 1999 “Snow doesn’t bury the Caravan of Love” (pages 8 and 9 from Canadian Catholic Campus Ministry and Canadian Catholic Students Association, Winter 1999)

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Unless otherwise indicated the following information is drawn from media (M), “West Ag Alumni Called to Serve” (Ridegetown), and copies of the Canadian Catholic Church Directories (CCCD) which I  have on hand.

18 March 2018: notice in St. Michael & Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin that  Father More Charbonneau has been removed because of allegations of an “inappropriate adult relationship” St. Michael & Sacred Heart Catholic Parishes bulletin  18 March 2018  (CSt. Michael & Sacred Heart Catholic Parishes bulletin re Father Moe Charbonneau  allegations and suspension)

I have received this note from Fr. John Comiskey, Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese and the Bishop’s Delegate regarding Fr. Moe Charbonneau.  Because Fr. Moe was stationed at Sacred Heart Parish as an associate we are asked to put the following announcement in the bulletin.  Please direct any concerns to the contact people noted below, and please keep all involved in your prayers.

From the Office of the Bishop’s Delegate – 12 March 2018

It was announced on Thanksgiving weekend that allegations had been made against Fr. Moe Charbonneau..  He was subsequently removed from the parishes in which he was serving.

No criminal charges have been laid against him, and the allegation involved an inappropriate adult relationship. It has been discovered through an investigation that the incident first reported to the diocese was not an isolated incident of misconduct; rather, there have been several incidents over the years.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Ms. Sharon Wright Evans, Director of Safe Environment Services and the Bishop’s Deputy Delegate, at 519-433-0658, x271, or Father John Comiskey, Bishop’s Delegate, at 519-433-0658, x275.

Our hope in placing this notice in the bulletins where Fr. Moe served is two-fold: we need to reach out to see if there are any other persons involved, and we need to let others know that we take these situations seriously.

2017, 2016, 2015:  St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Maidstone & St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church  South Woodslee, Ontario (CCCD)

Thanksgiving weekend 2017:   announcement that allegations made against Father Charbonneau

08 October 2017:  Pastor,  St. Mary’s and St. John the Evangelist (Fathers Larry Mosseau and Gerry Campeau, both shown in bulletin as being retired priests and both shown as being with St. John’s, with the latter, Father Campeau  shown as being “in residence.”.  ( Father Moe Charbonneau Pastor St Mary’s & St John the Evangelist bulletin )

Spring 2016:  Celebrant for 95th anniversary of St. John the Evangelist CWL (League Lingo London Diocesan Newsletter, Fall 2016  League Lingo Fall 2016 p. 23

“Fr. Moe Charbonneau…spoke of how the League has touched his own life, that of his parishioners and the communities he has served.  There was not a dry eye in the church”

03 July 2014:  “Presided” over  Knights of Columbus prayer service honouring recently deceased Father Chris Quinlan.  (St. John de Brebeuf Council 8233 July 2014, page 3))

Presiding over the service were long 0me friends and colleagues; Father Moe Charbonneau, Father Larry Brunet, and Father Mike Parent. With guitar in hand, Father Moe sang some beautiful songs, and then shared stories of Father Chris’s life.

(Check information re Father Chris Quinlan  and on this April 2013 blog  scroll down to “Quam Bonum” -)

17 June 2014:  member of the Niagara Catholic District School Board (Niagara Catholic District School Board meeting 2014-06-17)

voted against proposal by Father Paul MacNeil to add to the Board Meeting agenda a letter Father MacNeil had written to OECTA (Ontario English Catholic Teacher’s Association ) opposing OECTA involvement in Pride Parade (that was the World Pride Parade).  (Am I correct in deducing that this means that Father Charbonneau supported OECTA’s decision to march in the pride day event?)

08 June 2014:  Concelebrated Mass at St. Patrick’s Church Dublin with Father John Pirt at 100th anniversary of Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board building in Dublin, Ontario.  Father Charbonneau is a former parish priest at St. Patrick’s.  (Click photo to enlarge)

 

 

 

06 March 2014:  Father Moe Charbonneau is welcomed to St. Mary’s Parish(  06 March 2014 Essex Free Press )

03 March 2014:  Appointed Pastor St. Mary, Maidstone and St. John the Evangelist, Woodslee

– March 2014: Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Windsor

2014, 2013:  Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, Windsor, Ontario (CCCD)

13 December 2013:  Sacrament of Reconciliation at Catholic Central High School .  Identified as “our priest chaplain” (Click image to enlarge)

07 May 2013:  outdoor Mass on church grounds for Catholic Education Week (Click image to enlarge)

Catholic Education Week Windsor event: To celebrate Education Week May 6-10, Fr. Moe Charbonneau, Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (804 Grand Marais Rd., E., Windsor) has invited the two schools serviced by the parish (Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and St. Christopher School) to an Outdoor Mass to be celebrated on the church grounds on Tuesday, May 7, at 10:30 a.m. Between the two schools there will be over 1,000 people present. The two schools, separated by the E.C. Row Expressway will be united in faith as one student body for the first time as Fr. Moe brings together church and school in this first time ever event. The Education Week Theme of “Growing Together in Faith” is exactly what is happening here !!

 

September 2012:  replacing Father Nelson Cabral Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, Windsor (Father Cabral has been granted a six month sabbatical) (Charbonneau to OLPH 01 Sept 2012 and St Martin de Tours in London)

? 2012 to 01 September 2012:  administrator at St. Martin de Tyrs, London ( “Current Pastor Father Francis Thekkumkatil cst is on health leave ”  (Charbonneau to OLPH 01 Sept 2012 and St Martin de Tours in London)

2012, 2011, 2010:   Pastor, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Langton, Ontario (CCCD)

18 October 2011:  Celebrant at Mass of St. Theresa  during the Canadian Tour of the St. Thérèse Reliquary, Saint Andrew’s the Apostle Church in London, Ontario (External link)

25-27 April 2008:  COR weekend in Tillsonburg, Ontario (COR is listed here as “Christ on Retreat”; I believe that is probably the same as the COR weekends which are “Christ in Others Retreat”?)  (St Marys Catholic High School Parent Newsletter April 2008 p 4 External link)  (   St Marys Catholic High School Parent Newsletter April 2008 p 4)

2005,2006:  Diocese of Grand Falls, Newfoundland?   (Ridgetown)

January 2005:   to Gander Newfoundland for two year assignment with Diocese of Grand Falls (Ridgetown)

(Martin William Currie was Bishop of Grand Falls Diocese 12 December 2000 – o1 March 2011.   He is now Archbishop of the Archdiocese of  St. John’s Newfoundland)

2004:  Pastor, St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Dublin, Ontario (Ridgetown)

2002, 2000:  Pastor, St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Dublin, Ontario (CCCD)

1999:  assisting, St. Ursula, Roman Catholic Church, Chatham, (Pastor Father J. J. Devine) (CCCD)  Ontario

15-17 January 1999:   Keynote speaker at CCSA Central Region Conference, Academie Ste. Cecile in Windsor, Ontario.  “Father Moe” lLed many of the group in song in the chapel until 2 am or later.  Saturday Mass at Assumption University with Bishop Sherlock and Fathers Moe and  Dennis Noelke concelebrating. (  “Snow Doesn’t Bury the ‘Caravan of Love” (  “Snow doesn’t bury the Caravan of Love” pages 8 and 9 from Canadian Catholic Campus Ministry and Canadian Catholic Students Association, Winter 1999)

1998, 1997:  assisting, St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church, St. Clair Beach,  Ontario (Pastor Father P.W. Fuerth( (CCCD)

1996, 1995:  assisting at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church,  St. Clair Beach,  Ontario Pastor Father T. J. Lever) (CCCD)

30 April 1994:  ORDAINED (Ridgetown)

“interned”  in  London and Kingsville, Ontario (Ridgetowon)

1991:  M. Div. King’s College, London, Ontario (Ridgetowon)

1988:  BA King’s College, London, Ontario (Ridgetowon)

Fall 1985:  Decision to become a priest (Ridgetowon)

1984 – 1985:  worked at Ridgetowon College as a research assistant (Ridgetowon)

1984:  graduated Ridgetowon College, University of Guelph Ontario  – had studied horticulture with focus on farming and research (Ridgetowon)

1970s  ?:  living in Chatham Ontario

“When Maurice Charbonneau was 15 years old, his parish priest in Chatham told him he would be a priest some day.”  (Ridgetown)

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Mega-mass celebrates Catholic Education Week

Windsor Star

08 May 2013

Don Lajoie

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Mass to bring schools together

The Windsor Star

24 Apr 2013

96 Responses to Charbonneau: Father Maurice O. Charbonneau

  1. M. Vogels says:

    Why are you writing this stuff when you don’t know and are assuming things. Quit making assumptions . Who the heck do you think you are??? Get the truth before you blog.

    • Mike says:

      Hey Vogels, Fr. Moe Charbonneau DID have an inappropriate relationship with parishioners on more than one occasion. Kisses and hugs that were sustained, and definitely advances towards those on the receiving end. The diocese knows this, has been public about this, and those who were on the receiving end of Fr. Charbonneau’s hugging and kissing definitely know it. Perhaps you need to do YOUR research.

      • Vogels says:

        She was consensus in this situation. She was after him for a relationship. What decent woman would do this? Respect our priests…we have so few. You have no idea what good Fr. Moe has done in his priestly years. She, an adult woman, was wrong in what she did.
        He loses his faculties, she gets big payout. How is that fair. Where is the mercy and forgiveness? Shouldn’t he have support? He sure deserves more than condemation. It takes two. And he gets worse than all the priest pedofiles. NOT FAIR.

        • Mike says:

          Vogels, Fr. Moe Charbonneau is ALSO an adult man, capable of refusing an adult woman’s advances, or resisting temptation to go overboard with kisses and hugs. Have you forgotten that? That’s what the Diocese recognized. The main point is, if a priest cannot resist such temptations that can jeopardize his role as a priest, whether it be women, alcohol addiction, etc, then it is in everybody’s best interests for him to choose another career path.

          • Sandra says:

            <Let he who is without sin throw the first stone. Before trying to take the splinter out of your neighbour's eye, remove the log in your own eye. That Father John Comiskey has a personal grudge that he is using his power and authority to drag his name through the mud. Mike, you need to do your research. That's a lie. There were no allegations found when they search high and low for any complaints. Amazing how people want to judge other people like they were some kind of litigation lawyer or anything like that. Who else can vouch for him like his friends. Mike do you just like pulling other people down. Father Moe is a great priest. If you had known him, you would know. A misdemeanor does not deserve the loss of his faculties. Stop trying to make him a pedophile. |He Is Not.

  2. Sally says:

    What exactly is untruthful on this page? The Diocese itself admitted his guilt and removed him.

    • V says:

      The diocese? Comiskey is out to get him. That started long before he went to the seminary. How can the diocese admit guilt for Father Moe? The diocese is corrupt and I’m glad to say that I’m not part of London diocese. I wouldn’t recommend anyone to become a priest for it. Also I do know of other priests who had sex with women, broke up marriages, and are still priests only because no allegations were made against them to save their own face!! Like I said the diocese is corrupt.

    • JOSIE CARBONE says:

      I am so disgusted with the dioceses of London. There have been so many controversies out of that dioceses that the public no nothing about it.

      The diaceses has committed so many fouls that categorizing Fr. Charbonneau with Fr. Dwyre, a paedophile, is committing a sin of omission and a sin of intentionally scurging the character and integrity of a person. I ask myself which one is the worst sin; the one who tried to reject the advances of a determed jasebel and failed or the sins of those in the diocese who, purposely, pushed by hatered, revange and downright mean spirit, try to ruin the good name of another person…let’s call it what it is …..character assassination on the part of John Comiskey. Perhaps a lot of you don’t know that Comiskey and Fr. Charbonneau are of the same age and grew up in the same area. They have been schoolmates since grade school, high school and seminary. The difference is that Fr. Moe was one of 13 children and Comiskey came from a wealthy background. You can draw your own conclusion as why Comiskey felt Fr.Moe unworthy of the same titles as he.
      Further to that every church in which Fr. Moe was pastor, when he left, parisheners were sad and upset (this info has come directly from them) while some of the same parishes where Comiskey was pastor or assistant the opposed happened (this info also came from parishioners. The only advice i can offer is don’t believe everything thst comes from the diocese or read from the papers.

  3. Mike Fitzgerald says:

    I wondered as well, Sally. These facts come from newspaper reports and church records, not assumptions based on personal agenda.
    I guess we really don’t know where you are coming from, “M. Vogels”. Mike.

  4. D says:

    Nice guy. I knew him in the seminary. I am very sad to hear this. He was always one of the kindest men with a ready smile and always ready to help anyone in need. I will pray for him and all aspects of this situation.

    • Sally says:

      Real nice guy…especially when he was sexually exploiting several women!

      • Mike says:

        Sally, now you’re the one exaggerating. I am very close to this situation, and I can say that there was no exploiting, or “several” women. I appreciate your blog, and I am supportive of the actions taken against priests who cross the line, but there was no “exploiting” or “several women” in this case with Fr. Moe Charbonneau. Your feminist agenda, and your personal deep rooted biases are now taking over. Pull in the reigns, and stick to facts, and don’t make false statements. Otherwise, you could find yourself being brought to justice for libel (look it up), and someone would be discussing you in a public blog like this.

        • JoAnne Dupuis says:

          I agree with Mike. And what other part of society can a grown woman make passes at a man, cry wolf and receive a chunk of change?? It disgusts me. This is not Father Moe’s money it comes from hard working parishioners. Shame on the London Diocese for allowing this. Father Moe has a lawyer and is fighting back and my prayers are with him. If he wins I hope she pays every last cent back to the church.

  5. V says:

    Securely exploiting? Matter of interpretation. Besides do you believe the media and fake news???

  6. V says:

    Sexual exploiting. Guess the terminology can be interpreted different. If a woman goes after a married man….and he decides after a while that’s not what he intended, then would the woman have reason to have allegations against him????

  7. V says:

    “Sexual exploiting.” Guess the terminology can be interpreted different. If a woman goes after a married man….and he decides after a while that’s not what he intended, then would the woman have reason to have allegations against him????

    • Mike says:

      Vogels, don’t let your personal relationship with Moe Charbonneau cloud your ability to see the situation for what it is. Sylvia is getting overzealous with her comments, but so are you. Fr. Moe was not, and is not, a helpless child who was seduced by a woman. He too is a grown man. And this going overboard with hugs and kisses has occurred in the past. Again, be a neutral observer, and don’t let your personal biases and personal relationship with Moe Charbonneau cloud your view.

      • Kiara says:

        On this matter, i believe, a lot of minds have been clouded by lack of knowledge and the assumption of guilt.
        Gid Bless.

        • Mike says:

          Kiara, Biship Fabbro just made an announcement regarding Moe Charbonneau, and it was in Friday’s paper. The Windsor Star. Bishop Fabbo said that Moe Charbonneau had an “inappropriate sexual relationship”. He had a consensual affair with a female parishioner whose advances he couldn’t resist. I personally know people who are friends with Moe Charbonneau, and that’s what happened. Fabbro’s statement only confirms that. Nothing is clouded.

    • Mike says:

      And stop posting the same/similar comment 3 times in a row. You’re starting to look like you have OCD.

  8. Suzanne Lee says:

    Mike, I’m not in agreement with you on this posting that “Sylvia is getting overzealous with her comments”. What comments? She posted public statements and there are no comments regarding what she posted; from her. Seems, as if others have inside knowledge, though and are posting inferences and conclusions based on such. Let’s keep to the stated facts,

    • Mike says:

      Suzanne, you obviously didn’t notice that Sylvia deleted some comments she made in this “Comments” section. The comments she made were inaccurate, and potentially libellous. So, yes, let’s stick to facts. I agree. I was not referring to the actual public statements. Again, I was referring to a couple comments she made, which she has since deleted. Looks like you missed that, and decided to chastise me instead. All is forgiven.

    • Mike says:

      I noticed how you didn’t make any supportive comments about how I corrected M. Vogels. Lets make sure we all enter this forum and put aside our biases towards males and females, and remain neutral commenters.

      • Suzanne Lee says:

        Yikes! Yikes,,,, I am a literal person , therefore commented on what I read in front of me! Not sure about the biases, but I’m far from being biased toward one gender or another….sorry to have caused a ruckus!

        • Mike says:

          You didn’t “cause a ruckus” in my eyes, Suzanne. I’m not even irritated. LOL. And by the way, it wasn’t Sylvia who left the comments that were removed. It was Sally. Just want to take ownership for that typing error. Goodnight.

  9. Sylvia says:

    The comments were not made by me Mike. They were made by some else, – my name was not attached to them. Those comments were deleted at the personal request of their author. Please do not presume that the deletion was related to a retraction of the comments made. That was not the case.

    • Mike says:

      You’re correct, Sylvia. It was Sally. My apologies. Type error on my end. However, as someone with a legal background, my presumptions are pretty safe about the reasons behind the deletion of the comments. Either way, God bless, and have a good evening!

  10. Bettie and Gerry Fraser says:

    Fr Moe Charbonneau is being lumped in (in the news and social media) with a REAL ABUSER. This is SO unfair. There is nothing worse than a person who takes advantage of a young person. That is evil and unforgivable. HOWEVER. Fr Moe Charbonneau was involved in a CONSENSUAL situation with an adult female! He is NOT an ABUSER!!!! He broke his ancient vow of celibacy only. This News WAS INCORRECT AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED IT IS RUINING HIS REPUTATION. CANT IMAGINE HOW HE MUST BE REACTING. HORRIBLE INJUSTICE TO A GREAT PRIEST WHO HAPPENED TO MAKE A MISTAKE. WHAT IS WRONG WITH A CHURCH THAT DOESNT GIVE FORGIVENESS. WE ARE ALL HUMAN

    • mike says:

      If you read the article more than once, you would see that Bishop Fabbro is quoted as saying that Moe Charbonneau was involved in an “inappropriate sexual relationship”. They never said Moe Charbonneau abused anyone. Then, the article contrasts that situation with Andy Dwyer, and clearly states that Dwyer is the one who took advantage of children. Yes, it’s unfortunate they talk about both priests in the same article, but they only identify Dwyer as the sexual abuser.

      • Sandra says:

        What is inappropriate sexual behavior? What are you alluding to? He’s not homosexual, he’s not a pedophile. Is it an indiscretion with a person of the opposite sex. You spread a lot lies and allutions around like spreading manure. Is Mike the nom de plume of John Comiskey trying to finish Fr. Moe’s reputation forever? We need new leadership! We’re being lead down the garden path to one world religion. The more we look like protestants the more we loose our special spiritualism. How many Dioceses in Canada, the world even, stand after communion. We have just received the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Should we be standing there like a bunch of boobs. No, we should be on our knees with our nose to the ground humbly, praising and worshiping God in great gratitude for what He did for us. Yes, there’s an agenda here. Wake up Catholics and smell the coffee burning.

        • Mike says:

          Yes, Sandra, we all know that a fling with a female parishioner is not homosexual. Obviously you don’t read all the comments on here thoroughly.
          Like I say in my comment below, I am simply a member of the community, and i have a legal background. I’m viewing this neutrally. You’re not. AND you’re making false accusations and assumptions about me. If it continues, you will be served with court documents for libel. It won’t be difficult to trace you. So please, be civil like most of us, instead of aggressive and full of vinegar. Otherwise, it could be your undoing

          • Sandra says:

            Mike, just what do you mean a fling? You seem to have a lot of privileged information. Just what was the accusation. Why are there no charges. Could it be that are none? Why would you try to shut me down with threats? The presentation made by the Diocese is based on straw. They know that. What is an abnormal relationship anyway? I think I am no less civil than you are. I have not lied about anything. I just ask questions. I am done with this blog. I have said my side. I don’t agree with you and I am saying so. There is another side to this story and now it is out there. I promise not to threaten you with a libel suit. I consider that uncivil.

    • MP says:

      Since when is hugging and kissing a breach of celebacy? Are priests not allowed to show a little affection? And the female show limits? And he himself knowing it was wrong stopped, and to the dismay of the woman after him, decide to viciously legate him to get money for her “loss” . The catholic church and it’s priests are a target for big bucks! Father Moe is no more of a sex abuser than the bishop himself. I think God will have the last say on judgement day when he calls Fabrro and Comiskey aside at the pearly gates and let’s Charboneau in first. The bishop and his right had clout will be judged.

      • Mike says:

        MP, I guess you didn’t read Friday’s Windsor Star. Biship Fabbro just made an announcement regarding Moe Charbonneau. Bishop Fabbo said that Moe Charbonneau had an “inappropriate sexual relationship”. He had a consensual affair with a female parishioner whose advances he couldn’t resist. I personally know people who are friends with Moe Charbonneau, and that’s what happened. Fabbro’s statement only confirms that.
        By the way, an announcement last year in church bulletins said Moe Charbonneau’s behaviour occurred in “several incidents” over the years. Chronic behaviour, sir. Furthermore, when Moe Charbonneau entered the treatment centre, he went for full psychological assessments, and the report was submitted to the Diocese and factored into their decision. Therefore, you can be rest assured there were a number of red flags in that psychological assessment.
        Moe Charbonneau may be a good man, but that doesn’t mean he is suitable for priesthood and able to resist temptations and adhere to his vows as a priest. That’s all. He can always serve God in other ways.

        • Sandra says:

          <What were those allegations?, Just innuendoes. Did he jaywalk or forget to take out the garbage – just what. If they were sexual they would have been splashed across the Diocese. I can see Mike that you have a lot of information that you could only have received from someone in the Diocesan office. Psychological reports are not usually common knowledge. The Diocese sends a lot of business to that facility. They might be very happy to give a bad report for a patient in order to continue 5 star, big bucks, supposed healing accommodations, so that they could continue this great deal with such a generous business partner. That's our money to run the Diocese. And it costs a lot. Do you work for John Comiskey or the Diocese? I think that there is a lot of jealously and resentment because Fr. Moe is such a strong character and not easily manipulated. That's not liked by the powers that be.

          • Mike says:

            Sandra, do you not thoroughly read comments before getting aggressive with people? Fr. Moe Charbonneau had a fling with a female parishioner. Lots of people know this. In the Windsor Star last Friday, Bishop Fabbro defined it as an “inappropriate sexual relationship”. When priests behave that way, and when a psychological assessment from a treatment centre indicates a bunch of red flags, then what does that have to do with being jealous of Moe Charbonneau. I don’t work for John Comiskey or the Dioecese. I’m just a member of the community, and I happen to have a legal background, and if you read all my comments on this page, you would see i’ve taken a step back and I’m looking at this from a neutral view. I’m not attacking people, I’m not name calling people on here like you are. And if you continue to make some of the assumptions and false statements, and false accusations that you’ve made, I will be taking screen shots of this and forwarding them to the appropriate parties, and you could find yourself faced with a libel lawsuit, Sandy. Yes, it can be determined who you are with the help of law enforcement and private investigators. And you would be served with court documents. So please, stop being aggressive on this page.

          • Mike says:

            Sandra, you don’t read comments very well. For the last time, Fr. Moe Charbonneau had a CONSENSUAL sexual relationship with a female parishioner. The reason no charges were laid was precisely because it was CONSENSUAL. Consensual means that Fr. Moe Charbonneau AND the female parishioner both entered into the sexual relationship. Charges only occur when one person forces the other person, or makes advances without their consent. I’m surprised that I have to explain these things to a woman your age. But anyhow, does that clear up what “fling” means? Does that clear up why there were no criminal charges? A consensual affair involves two people who both agree to have the affair. I hope this has been educational for you, Sandra! You’re just upset because you personally knew Moe Charbonneau and you were close to him, so you think EVERYTHING is a lie…. Even though Moe Charbonneau ADMITTED to having the ongoing sexual relationship with the female parishioner. So, maybe you need to read more carefully, and know the truth, before you make your aggressive comments and throw mud at people. Very childish and yes, uncivil.

  11. John says:

    I am certain that the reference to the Niagara Catholic District School Board does not apply to Father Moe but rather to a lay trustee with the same name. A Google search will verify this.

  12. Sandra says:

    What is inappropriate sexual behavior? What are you alluding to? He’s not homosexual, he’s not a pedophile. Is it an indiscretion with a person of the opposite sex. You spread a lot lies and allutions around like spreading manure. Is Mike the nom de plume of John Comiskey trying to finish Fr. Moe’s reputation forever? We need new leadership! We’re being lead down the garden path to one world religion. The more we look like protestants the more we loose our special spiritualism. How many Dioceses in Canada, the world even, stand after communion. We have just received the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Should we be standing there like a bunch of boobs. No, we should be on our knees with our nose to the ground humbly, praising and worshiping God in great gratitude for what He did for us. Yes, there’s an agenda here. Wake up Catholics and smell the coffee burning.

    • MIke says:

      Sandra, you don’t read comments very well. For the last time, Fr. Moe Charbonneau had a CONSENSUAL sexual relationship with a female parishioner. The reason no charges were laid was precisely because it was CONSENSUAL. Consensual means that Fr. Moe Charbonneau AND the female parishioner both entered into the sexual relationship. Charges only occur when one person forces the other person, or makes advances without their consent. I’m surprised that I have to explain these things to a woman your age. But anyhow, does that clear up what “fling” means? Does that clear up why there were no criminal charges? A consensual affair involves two people who both agree to have the affair. I hope this has been educational for you, Sandra! You’re just upset because you personally knew Moe Charbonneau and you were close to him, so you think EVERYTHING is a lie…. Even though Moe Charbonneau ADMITTED to having the ongoing sexual relationship with the female parishioner. So, maybe you need to read more carefully, and know the truth, before you make your aggressive comments and throw mud at people. Very childish and yes, uncivil.

    • Jean-Louis says:

      Sandra,

      Homosexuality is not, as you say, “inappropriate sexual behaviour”… and certainly not equivalent to pedophelia. Please do some reading and get educated before making such homophobic, insulting claims. My husband and I would greatly appreciate it.

      Jean-Louis

      • Mike says:

        Jean-Louis, Fr. Moe was never referred to as a homosexual. He had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a consenting female parishioner. That’s an inappropriate HETEROSEXUAL relationship. So, if Sandy or you somehow thought it was a homosexual relationship, it wasn’t. As for your comment that sex between two men or sex between two women isn’t inappropriate, I assume you’re not a practicing Christian? Although homosexuals need to be treated with respect, even Jesus made it clear that marriage was intended for males and females. In more than one Gospel, Jesus specifically refers to a former passage, and states that a man shall leave his parents and unite with a woman, and the two shall joined spiritually. If Jesus wanted to convey otherwise, he would’ve kept his statement gender neutral and stated “a person leaves that person’s parents, and unites with another person, and the two shall be joined spiritually”. He did not say that. I would also encourage you to read Romans, where it clearly mentions homosexual sex, among other things like drunkenness, sexually promiscuous behaviour, etc.
        Jesus wasn’t looking for the popular vote, neither was St. Paul, nor is God the Father. We either choose to follow God’s commandments or we don’t.
        As for homosexuals, there are plenty of Christian homosexuals who choose NOT to enter into romantic homosexual relationships or homosexual intercourse, and are open to God’s plan in their lives in other areas besides those things. So, once again, while some people may be attracted to the same sex, those who are Christian and committed to God will refrain from having sexual relationships or marriage with members of the same sex and serve God in other ways.
        If you’re not Christian, and get offended by what I say, so be it. Be angry with God and Jesus, not me. I’m just repeating what’s already been said.

        • Jean-Louis says:

          Actually, Mike, I was referring to Sandra’s comment when she said: “What is inappropriate sexual behavior? What are you alluding to? He’s not homosexual, he’s not a pedophile.” I wasn’t talking about your Father Moe, and I wasn’t addressing you.

          I hope you feel better after your sermon… glad you got that out of your system? Being an atheist, I really don’t care what you think Jesus said.

          • Mike says:

            Thanks for the clarification, Sandy. Yes, being that you are an atheist, there’s not much anyone on here can say. I will keep you in my prayers!
            By the way, I know you don’t like “sermons”, but “phobic” means fear. If, for moral reasons, people don’t agree with homosexual sex or romantic relationships, it’s a moral view not a fear. I think the term “phobia” and “homophobia” have been misused . No fear involved. Take care.

  13. d says:

    This conversation seems unnecessarily conflictual to me. This is simple. A very nice heterosexual man had a consentual sexual relationship with a woman. The only legal potential problem is if there is a power differential between these two adults. My sources tell me this is not the case.

    So there would be no interest in this adult relationship except for one thing. Moe is a Roman Catholic Priest who in the western tradition took a mandatory vow of celibacy. This is actually the promise not to marry so that the priest can commit himself more fully to the people. Secular priests do not take a vow of chastity BTW. It is presumed that they will not have sex as this is a breaking of their baptismal commitments as with all Christians.

    Moe it seems broke this commitment. End of story! However I find this public erring of his actions …unusual? If every sin and indiscretion of Catholic priests is now going to be public news …wow. There wont be many left. Glad I am not one!

    I repeat….I will pray for this kind gentle man.

    • Josie Carbone says:

      That is not entitely true.
      A Catholic Priest, friend of mine, of the Salisian Order told me that he did not take the vows of chastity…for one reason…if, in the future, Rome would change its stance on allowing priests to marry, priests that choose that avenue may do so. Whereas a priest who made the vows of chastity cannot break that vow. Yhe priest in question made the vow of celibacy…not chastity. In the Catholic Eastern Rite priests are allowed to marry. I, personally, know 2 of them.

      • Sylvia says:

        I find it strange that the Salesians or any order would negate the vow of chastity for any reason.

        As for celibacy in Eastern Catholic Churches which are in communion with the Roman Catholic Church, …those men who are ordained as married men can not become bishops, and those men who are not married when they are ordained to the priesthood can not marry later.

        A final point, only priests in religious orders take vows of celibacy and chastity.

        • D says:

          Sorry Sylvia but diocesan priests also take a vow of celibacy and a vow of obedience to the ordinary or the bishop.

          They do not take a vow of poverty nor a vow of chastity which most orders do take.

          This is a key distinction and is also known as the secular priesthood connected directly to the authority of the bishop of a diocese.

          • Sylvia says:

            Sorry D, diocesan priests promise, they do not take vows.

          • D says:

            The distinction between the vows and promises taken by religious vs secular priests is an important one however and is important in all this discussion. The arguments for and against madatory celibacy are important.

            The secular priesthood has a much stronger history of married clergy both in the eastern church and in the past in the western church.

            It is something I believe needs to be looked at today. The all celibate priesthood has had it’s day. In my opinion a mix of married priests could bring a better balance to the power dynamic and hopefully to the abuse of that power.

        • D says:

          You are right Sylvia tonic a promise as opposed to a vow…i stand corrected.

  14. B says:

    My understanding is that there is always a power differential between a priest and a member of the public, just as there is for a teacher, therapist, or anyone else who takes a guiding, leading, influencing role.

    That is why it is crucial that these people who counsel those in distress do not allow themselves to develop feelings for those under their care, as there is a well-known tendency for the person lower in the power differential to think they have fallen in love with their “guide.”

  15. d says:

    That is an excessive definition of a power differential and utterly unenforceable. A priest has a power differential with the entire public? I have no idea where that definition comes from but I find that ascertain over the top.

    If the power of the priesthood is that profound I must have woken up in the depths of the darkest days of the middle ages. Priests are no longer that powerful in their public persona. Such a position would doom many modern authority figures to politically correct celibacy. This list might include psychiatrists, doctors, high political figures and just about every movie star and rock star.

    Not very realistic in my view. How about a little personal responsibility?

  16. d says:

    BTW my sources tell me there was no counselling relationship between the two people in question. If there as a therapy relationship that is another matter of course.

  17. B says:

    You are unaware that psychiatrists are ethically not allowed to have relationships with their patients? Here’s a quick extract on psychiatrist-patient relations: “Sexual relationship with a patient, exploiting a patient, social and economic deals with patient are not acceptable. As written earlier, even social intimacy with patient is not desirable. Any sexual or physical intimacy is considered malpractice.” This is because the patient is in a distressed state and views the psychiatrist as a guide, and might therefore easily be influenced into a relationship not of their choosing. As you must be aware, priests too give counselling.

    “Modern authority figures” are not “doomed…to politically correct celibacy” as long as they form relationships with their equals, rather than hit on their patients, parishioners, interns, etc. And of course taking personal responsibility should go alongside professional responsibility.

  18. d says:

    Thanks for the clarification. I agree with that distinction. I misunderstood your reference to priests and the public. The counselling relationship is a sacred trust for sure. No argument there!!!

  19. d says:

    A further few thoughts…..

    I check in with site regularly but only occasionally do I comment as the topic is most often the very painful reality of abuse at the hands of some of the most trusted people in society….it is heartbreaking as a Roman Catholic and usually silences me in awe and respect of these many victims.

    This discussion around Fr. Moe brings up another set of questions in my view which we are remiss as Catholics if we dont at least talk about it and consider the larger issues in the church.

    So here I go….

    7 years ago I was at a funeral of a lovely woman who was a devout Catholic and one of the kindest people I have ever known. I had not seen her in many years but wanted to honor her life.

    I was very aware of her long relationship with a very popular retired priest. They had lived together for many years both pre and post his retirement which was brought on by his health. This woman cared for this newly blind man for years until she became a victim of dementia. At this point the priest gently and faithfully cared for her til her death despite his blindness.

    At the funeral he preached. He shared honestly about their devotion and care for each other. He spoke about their complete commitment to live a chaste and non sexual life during the entire relationship. I believed him as did almost all who knew them. I wept at the tender love and care which was obvious in the story. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. I will never forget it. The Alter had a huge number of priests and bishops and the pews were packed.

    Now here is the problem. These two people if you believe him were chaste followers of Christ strictly speaking. In other words they did not have sex. However did this priest live out his commitment to Celibacy? Strictly speaking I think the answer is no.

    The spirit of mandatory Celebacy in the Roman Catholic priesthood is not about genital sex. It is about a certain detachment that will enable the master of Celibacy to serve the body of Christ…the Church. Just not having sex is not the Charism….the gift. The priest is supposed to imitate Jesus and be fully for the people…the church.

    Is this impossible? For most of us I would say it is very difficult particularly when we are young, needy and underdeveloped as humans and Christians. I could not do it particularly as a young man and most likely even now. As we age some of us get better at this, some do not. I have several friends now in thier 50s and 60s who are natural and successful Celibates. Some are agnostics and some are believers. Thier community, friends and family are their preference over that one particular person.

    Here is my point. The above discussions in regards to Moe are not about a molester. They are about a priest who wanted to minister but couldn’t live out the discipline of Celibacy. What do we do with this in the church? Dont we need to talk about this? The church has many non Roman rites that do not require this discipline. Is it time to openly discuss this as a church? I think it is.

    I know that this is not the point of this blog. I normally would not bring it up as it is not the point of supporting those who have been so wounded by abusers. This case however presuming it does not involve an imbalance of power has really had me reflecting on these issues. Maybe the case of Fr. Moe does not belong on this site? Fair enough but it is here. So the issues are also here. This is more a point for Sylvia as she is the moderator of the site so I defer to her judgement.

    I truly believe that our faith and tradition has within it the fullness of the truth however we tend as Catholics quite often to run from an honest discussion of the truth especially when it involves the messy realities of human sexuality.

    • Mike says:

      That’s a great story “d”. Very touching Thanks for sharing that. on here.

      Although celibacy generally refers to refraining from marriage and romance with the opposite sex, not friendship or living in the same house. I agree with you that the diocese and vatican needs to wake up regarding it’s “human rules” about celibacy. Even St. Peter, the declared “first pope” was married. Nearly every Gospel talks about how Jesus went to see Peter’s mother-in-law, when he healed her of her illness. So, if Peter was married, what’s the problem? It’s a dumb rule. The vatican and diocese need to allow those who wish to become priests the option of marrying. Allow them the freedom to make the choice, if they are able to fulfill priestly duties and have a wife and family. Maybe when there are hardly any priests left, the vatican and diocese will wake up and finally change their human rules about celibacy.

  20. Tom Donati says:

    I know Fr Moe personally as he is and always will be welcome in my home. He interacted with all members of my family,children and wife with love, joy and respect. A true gift from God. If he acted inappropriately ; is he not human, and why are we crucifying this man. HE IS HUMAN. He made a mistake. The Diosese is blowing this way out of proportion. Fr. Moe is a great priest that many priests should emulate. He was a very good friend of Fr Chris Quinlan and Fr Chris would be saying, forgive and love. My hope ,no prayer ; is that the diosease will allow him to continue his work as a loving caring happy priest. God Bless Fr Moe. Tom Donati Holy Name of Mary Parish St Marys

    • Mike says:

      Tom, Fr. Moe has already been stripped of his priesthood status with the dioecese. So, although he can serve God in other ways, it will no longer be as a priest. The psychological assessments he underwent at the treatment centre, combined with the number of incidents involving consensual encounters with women, revealed red flags and a risk of similar behaviours in the future. I hope this helps you understand.

      • Tom Donati says:

        your comments have not changed my opinion or my thoughts . He is a priest and always will be. The problem here is , the grace of God has been tossed aside due to pressure from other acts from other priests that do not in any way simulate what is going on with Fr Moe. Like I said before. He is Human.He is good . No charges have been laid. He is a positive influence for any parish that is blessed to have him. My Prayer continues to be that he will be allowed to continue as a leader for our Church. God Bless Fr. Moe. I pray the Bishop wakes up .

      • MP says:

        I believe psychological assessments were confidential, so how do you know this? Breach of confidentiality? Assumption? Do you have. A vendetta against Father Moe like Fr. Comiskey does? This blog is getting way out of hand thanks to you Mike. As Father Moe has an enormous lot of people supporting him he will always be FATHER Moe. God is the judge and there will be good coming from all this. The bishop’s over reaction to this is shameful. He will also be judged by God as will Comiskey.

      • MP says:

        Mike you are another devils advocate along with Comiskey. London diocese is in big trouble with lack of priests. This vendetta against Father Moe is not gaining any “brownie points” with the people. People are withdrawing financial support because of the way Father Moe has been treated. What ” number of incidences” are you talking about? No charges, absolutely NO charges were laid. Comiskey is playing God with the devil on his shoulder. It angers me, along with many other Father Moe supporters. He is one of a kind priest whom people love and listen to. So one miserable unhappy woman can’t have her way with him and Comiskey is out to destroy him. Thank heaven we still have a loving and merciful God and if Comiskey is successful in destroying Father Moe, Comiskey will be judged by that same God. Not sure how a person like Comiskey can live with his conscience. He put out a priest so badly needed in London diocese but because of his humorous and caring personality Father Moe was kicked to the curb.
        Yet there is a reason for everything so watch out all you who discredit and attack Father Moe.

    • Kiara says:

      It’s Cominsky that blew it out of proportion by announcing Fr. Moe’s being released from his duties of priesthood with Fr. Dwyer a known sex offender. Cominsky wanting to have the impression that Fr. Moe was released for the same reason. Unfortunately, Fabbro, having no backbone, allowed this to be so.
      I believe, Fabbro has learned the greatest lesson of his office as bishop with the uncovering of his lack of leadership in the Assumption debacle. Had not been for Mr. Mullen, that would have NEVER come to light.
      PRAISE BE TO GOD ALMIGHTY. The strong in wrongdoing will fall the hardest.

      • Kiara says:

        BTW Fr. Moe is in Uganda right now, helping those that need and deserve him much more than this Diocese deserves.
        If I was closer to a boarder diocese, I would have move long ago.

  21. KB says:

    Mike, please stop trying to throw your weight around by continually sighting your “legal background” and threatening everyone who has an opinion counter to your own, with a lawsuit. It is really quite annoying and gives no more credibility to your views. If you are legit, it is unprofessional …but you would know that.
    Since you joined this blog you have continually dragged it back to the gutter and made everything about you. Let it go man. You’ve only made a few points and you’ve repeated them over and over. We got it! Leave some breathing room on here for someone that may have a fresh perspective or might have chosen to use this forum to provide encouragement and resources to those affected by these events, had this not become a Battle Royal with Mike from the start. If you can’t let it go for some reason only known to you, get some help, this ain’t it.
    I say, Mike only be responded to with kindness, going forward. I think it would benefit us all.

    • Mike says:

      KB, I think you need to go back and read the comments I replied to. If you do, you’ll see that I never “threatened everyone whose opinion differs” from mine. But when Sandy makes false accusations about me working for the diocese, attacks my status, and makes other similar comments personally directed at me, I’m going to defend myself. However, to be clear, I’ve already let it go, KB. No help needed. But thank you for at least emphasizing that people on this forum should respond to me and others with kindness. It was good of you to point that out. God bless you, have a good day.

  22. MP says:

    I believe psychological assessments were confidential, so how do you know this? Breach of confidentiality? Assumption? Do you have. A vendetta against Father Moe like Fr. Comiskey does? This blog is getting way out of hand thanks to you Mike. As Father Moe has an enormous lot of people supporting him he will always be FATHER Moe. God is the judge and there will be good coming from all this. The bishop’s over reaction to this is shameful. He will also be judged by God as will Comiskey.

  23. D says:

    Amen to THAT!!!! Unbridled ego.

  24. Kiara says:

    That is not entitely true.
    A Catholic Priest, friend of mine, of the Salisian Order told me that he did not take the vows of chastity…for one reason…if, in the future, Rome would change its stance on allowing priests to marry, priests that choose that avenue may do so. Whereas a priest who made the vows of chastity cannot break that vow. Yhe priest in question made the vow of celibacy…not chastity. In the Catholic Eastern Rite priests are allowed to marry. I, personally, know 2 of them.

  25. John Wehr says:

    It was right for the diocese to remove him. He broke his vows and was not acting in a manner fitting of a priest. If we want to move forward, we must remove people like him from positions of power within the church. The Roman Catholic Church has a bad image lately and people defending this kind of behaviour by blaming the woman, isn’t helping. We need to get past that image so that people start coming home again.

  26. Kiara says:

    I only know one thing, i wish i was within the boaders of a different dioceses so i could sign up with a different parish belonging to a different dioceses. I am so sick and tired of what has been coming out of London. Fr. Moe’s incident is only the last drop that overflowed the glass.
    If we are ready to condemm one act of inappropriate behavious, then we MUST condemn ALL inappropriate, deceiving, and corrupt behabiou acts…from EVERY MEMBER OF THIS DIOCESE.
    For those of you who are or pretend to be Nancy Dews investigate what happened to the funds raised by ALL parisheners of the Windsor area directed to the Haitians people after the earthquake and the reported sexual
    abuse some of the young ppl were subjected to.
    Do that first, then you have the righs to comment.
    As for me, I’ve stopped supplying money to a corrupt dioceses.
    Do know that 15% of your parish envelop donation goes to the diocese. I have a new way to still support my parish without supporting a corrupt organization. I highly wish we had a bishop with a backbone… Let’s face it this one doesn’t and he has been manipulated or the very list, been given ill advices regarding many issues.

    • MP says:

      I agree wholeheartedly with you. On every statement you have made. I am lucky enough to be able to switch diocese. And it is so nice not to have to deal with Fabbro or Comiskey. But Fr Moe is still a dear friend and always will be. God protect and guide him always.

      • bc says:

        It is a fact that Father Charbonneau was active in fundraising charitably for one or many of the Church`s charities. It is a fact that is (single) civil status was represented as being one of the ways that his charitable fundraising would be serving the public good. Father Charbonneau represented that he had renounced mariage and family life in order to be available to serve all. Father Charbonneau`s charitable pitch to Canadian taxpayers was that he would be eating supper with the homeless at the soup kitchen; that he would be spending his days with those abandoned by their loved ones; that he would be available in the middle of the night whenever tragedy would strike. That was the reason Father Charbonneau was allowed to issue tax receipts. He changed his mind. He wanted another life; an interested love life. He preferred eating with his girlfriend. To love one in particular. And Father Charbonneau hung the Do not disturb sign on his bedroom door.

        If Father Charbonneau can do that and fundraise charitably soon we`ll have 12 million Canadian guys applying for charitable status. Canadian males are gonna become very very religious… Father Charbonneau, to his credit, did not abuse a child. But he did breach the social contract binding him to Canadian taxpayers. The Diocese of London which is legally speaking a number of registered charities was well advised to remove Father Charbonneau.

        • MP says:

          Hahaha… you are so disgusting. Hanging a sign on his bedroom door!!! Wow! He did step across the line but did not have sexual intercourse. Why does everyone believe the evil person acting on behalf of Satan? What is this religious priest vocation coming to????
          And then the nerve of fundraising going on for the seminary?? I wouldn’t encourage my children or anyone else to enter the seminary until there is a change of Bishop and Cominskey

        • MP says:

          How many priests break their vow of celibacy? Many many more than be known. But those they ‘messed’ with didn’t squeal on them to benefit their own wealth on what they were involved first hand in. She’s sitting pretty on her loot while watching the bishop and comiskey tear down a good man and great priest.

      • Kiara says:

        Fr. Moe is a friend of mine also. I’ve seen first hand his deep dedication to his faith that few consacrated have.
        His commitment to his parish and parisheners is impeccable and his love for the true faith is simply amazing. I consider a priviledge to have met and gotten to know him.

        The devil attacks those with strong faith trying to take them out…and defends those he knows that are already his.

  27. Kiara says:

    Fr. Moe is a friend of mine also. I’ve seen first hand his deep dedication to his faith that few consacrated have.
    His commitment to his parish and parisheners is impeccable and his love for the true faith is simply amazing. I consider a priviledge to have met and gotten to know him.

    The devil attacks those with strong faith trying to take them out…and defends those he knows that are already his.

  28. JOSIE CARBONE says:

    Reply to bc:

    You have written a long post and
    said almost nothing except repeated
    yourself.
    Perhaps it would be wise to read and reflect on my last post and decide where your faith stands.

    • bc says:

      JOSIE CARBONE and Kiara and Josie Carbone because you are all these identities having posted the same message on April 29th 2019 at 11:39 am as Josie Carbone and then on April 29 2019 at 11:41am as Kiara

      Now, thanks to you, readers of Sylvias blog know that the support for Father Charbonneau is not at all what is appears to be.

      • Phil Johnson says:

        bc: Funny how you noticed that as I did too. Since those posts are obviously from the same jerkoff, you’re right…charbonneau’s followers are really just “fake people”. Sad that someone has to inflate their side just to try and defend a collar.

      • Kiara says:

        For your info…those are my names. If you are thinking of intimidating me in backing off from defending Fr. MOE, you have another thing coming. People like you have NEVER intimidated me, especially in truth. I will pray for you as I pray for all people that seek to destroy or/and to discreted by embellishing the lies towards someone being accused unjustly. May God have Mercy on your soul.

        • bc says:

          Read the parts about turning the other cheek; loving your ennemies forgiving your debtors etc.

          I didn`t cast the first stone. It had already been thrown… by an adulteress woman according to you. (although the official version tells a different story and it says that you ought to forgive her too)

  29. bc says:

    Well, she`s friends with a Salesian who`s not chaste; she personally knows 2 married Eastern Rite priests and she`s a friend of Father Charbonneau. Friends in higher places indeed. And that`s just what she`s sharing so far on Sylvia`s blog. Like; is there a clerical app connecting comforting priests willing to meet Catholic women who are uncomfortable with friends in lower places?

  30. Mike Fitzgerald says:

    “D” – you need to do some homework on the definitions of chastity and celibacy. Celibacy refers to the “unmarried state”. Chastity is the abstinence of sexual relations.
    If one is unmarried in the Catholic Church, by vow, it stands to reason that sexual relations outside of marriage is a sin. Celibacy and chastity therefore go hand in hand.
    You should not cheapen this issue by saying it’s okay to be celibate, with no requirement to be chaste! You cannot have it both ways in the eyes of the Catholic Church.
    My wife and I are both divorced Roman Catholics, and we remarried outside the church, with no annulment. We are considered “living in sin” if we have sexual relations, and are forbidden to receive certain sacraments as a result of this.
    If you are claiming that some Catholic priests have taken a vow of celibacy but are not chaste, and this is perfectly okay with the Vatican and all of us, then you really need to “hit the books” and come down on one side of the fence or the other.
    You can’t have it both ways – it’s called hypocrisy. Mike.

    • D says:

      Mike for clarity sake I am not suggesting it is ok to have your cake and eat it too.

      No question that by catholic teaching on a promise of celibacy or a vow of chastity means no sex outside of the sacrament of marriage..full STOP!

      I was clumsily, perhaps, trying to make the point that the spirit of these commitments is within the idea of service to the body of Christ…the church.

      The priest or religious abstains from marriage and sex to be totally free to serve the church. A theory first advanced by St. Paul. My point is that, particular frindships, even committed non sexual relationships are not technically a sin but many spiritual purists would say they break the spirit of those vows or promises of celibacy and chastity which is to be totally free to serve the church.

      My point is that if celibacy in the priesthood was optional there might be better balance in the church and maybe a purer form of chastity or celibacy for those so graced with this charism. Also there might be a better power balance and maybe less abuse HOPEFULLY!

      Earlier I referred to St. Paul’s teaching on his own celibacy. He goes on to say that it works for him in his ministry but it should not be required if it will lead church leaders into difficulty and sin. (This is of course my summary.)

      Sorry for the confusion Mike. This was the point I was trying to make with my long story. Perhaps not as effectively as I intended!

  31. Mike Fitzgerald says:

    Further to the above, Moe may very well be a really nice guy. The problem is he took vows that he broke. It’s a breach of contract, and if/until the rules are changed, that’s the way it is.
    Why should the rules be different for poor Fr. Moe, or my wife and I? Mike.

    • MP says:

      So Fr. Moe broke the rules exaggerated by this money hungry woman. And all the other priests that broke the rules and the women involved didn’t report as they didn’t need the money, get away with it. And did far worse . There are a few priests who are womanizers and get away with it. But wont in God’s eyes. Fr.Moe knew enough to shut her down before it went too far. She then took action getting what she intended…money. Still angers me greatly that it’s such a waste losing a super great caring priest.

      • Phil Johnson says:

        Your “super great caring” collar still broke his vows…not just a rule, but his vow. Big difference. And slinging dirt at his accuser doesn’t say much for you does it?

        • MP says:

          Diocese of London is so corrupt. Different rules for different priests. Comiskey is the devil’s advocate and will be judged accordingly.
          Fr. Moe is still out there doing so much good and nobody can stop him. Maybe his faculties have been stripped but after all the accusations and crap he’s been through, God still stands behind and beside him to continue to do as much as he can in his ministry to do good for the people. He is a good man and a great loss to the diocese of london. Good luck Fr. Moe. And God’s blessings be with you.

  32. Mike Fitzgerald says:

    What is the difference between a promise and a vow? Mike.

  33. Sylvia says:

    The vows of religious priests at ordination are made to God. The promises of secular (ie diocesan) priests at ordination are made to their bishop.

  34. Mike Fitzgerald says:

    D – thank you for your conciliatory response to my somewhat militant rant! I agree with you on a lot of your points.
    I look at the church now as a somewhat petulant misbehaving 5 year old child, caught in a lie. The church as an organization ( not an instituition) reacts exactly the same as this hypothetical child. The child lies, and when questioned will try to promulgate the lie with deception, deceit, and further inventions to try and get away with it. The parents eventually get to the truth, and the child is disciplined.
    We have become the parents of this wayward organization. The church has displayed a remarkable inability-refusal to police itself. It now falls on us, the lowly unwashed, to guide and discipline it.
    Arguably, at the centre of all of this is human sexuality, or the resultant deviancy of the celibate state.
    I agree with you at this point. I fail completely to understand why an otherwise normal young man cannot continue to minister to his flock, along with his spouse and children. After all, his spouse and children would be part of his “flock”, right? In my opinion, to believe otherwise is demeaning and selfish. Yes, I know!!!! – there are others who will not entertain this argument, but dammit something is really wrong here. What is so heinous about looking for solutions?
    Where I differed with you is in the definitions of celibacy and chastity. The church cannot have it both ways. Either dispose of mandatory celibacy, or do a MUCH better job of screening candidates for the Roman Catholic priesthood, and supervise them accordingly.
    Enforcing Canon Law on we the lowly unwashed, but turning a “blind eye” to the deviant sexual behaviour of an ordained catholic priest is the ultimate hypocrisy!
    Your repeated references to St. Paul struck a note with me. I took the name Paul at my confirmation, because of the story of his “road to Damascus” conversion. Thank you! Mike.

    • D says:

      Well said.

      I don’t think we disagree on the celibacy question. There will always be celbates among us in the church and else where. The problem I have is making it mandatory for ministry in the church.

      Oh and your point on screening? YES YES YES!!!!! Be they celibate or married or flying purple SQUIRRELS!!!! Screen them and don’t tolerate any deviant behavior for sure.

      A healthy openness to human sexuality and honest dialogue might also be an IDEA!!!

    • bc says:

      It`s about money according to me: greedy and wealthy Bishops who have a slice of every charitable dime collected wouldn’t want to share with no ex-spouses/mothers in terms of spousal/child support when divorces would occur. They wouldn’t want to allow estates to inherit what priests would leave behind either. And when things wouldn’t end badly Bishops wouldn’t sleep well at night knowing that all that money would be spent on diapers and teddy bears when it could have been used for luxury decorative items for their episcopal mansions. So bishops did the math and they figured that it would be way more cheaper to allow priests to abuse. It’s only a few billion dollars in their minds. Most of it has gone unreported anyway…
      And they still control the trillion dollar dirty money laundromat. Crime prays.

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