Grecco: Donald Grecco

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Donald Grecco (Don Grecco)

ex priest Diocese St. Catharine’s Ontario.  One of four Grecco brothers who became priests.  Ordained 1966.  According to one brother, Bishop Richard Grecco, Donald Grecco left the priesthood after 30 years and became a  grief and marriage counsellor.  Donald Grecco married in 2002.  His step son committed suicide in 2008.  He and his wife separated in 2010 at which time a divorce was  pending.

September 2008:  charges related to sex abuse of young boys. April 2010:  GUILTY plea.  December 2010 sentenced to 18 months jail and two years probation. (Grecco also breached his bail.) December 2011: out of jail

25 September 2015:  NEW charges laid.  14 October 2015:  More charges laid.  12 May 2017: GUILTY plea       24 October 2017:  18 months jail, forbidden from contact with persons under age 16, must stay half a kilometer away from his victims after his release,  plus ” DNA be recorded for the national sex offender registry and banned him for life from attending public places where those under 16 are likely to be, including public parks, school grounds and community centres.   March 2018:  applying for early release

To be released 23 April 2018

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“The wolf in priest’s clothing”

The wolf in priest’s clothing: Part 1 of 3 (05 September 2017)

The wolf in sheep’s clothing:  Part 2 of 3 (06 September 2017)

The wolf in priest’s clothing: Part 3 of 3  (09 September 2017)

08 September 2017:  The wolf in sheep’s clothing (Grecco sentencing delayed)

10 September 2017:  The wolf in priest’s clothing: In the trenches against the church

24 October 2017:  Ex-priest Grecco gets 18 months in prison

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19 May 2017: “Former priest Grecco found guilty of molestation” & related article

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Click here for info on the Grecco brothers and where Don Grecco served during his years in the priesthood

Text of above – difficult to read because text flows off edge of page.)

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27 April 2018:  Former Niagara Priest convicted of sexual abuse has been released from prison early

13 April 2018:  Hearing for early release

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The following blog has become the Grecco thread for comments and news for the past two years:  29 September 2008:  “Why four years?”

Photo Left by Thomas Harris – 03 November 2010 at Picton courthouse)

 

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(Photo below by Jim Rankin, Toronto Star)

 

20 September 2010:  Michael Blum Statement of Claim

Michael Blum Victim Impact Statement                              

Michael Blum age 14 – the age Father Don Grecco first violated Michael’s innocence 

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Media  Coverage & BLOGS

27 April 2018:  Former Niagara Priest convicted of sexual abuse has been released from prison early

17 April 2018:  Convicted of sexually abusing boys, ex-priest granted parole: The Wolf in Priest’s clothing followup

14 April 2018:  BLOG  Who?

20 March 2018:  “Ex-Priest in jail for sexual assault seeking parole that could see him walk nearly halfway through his sentence” & related article

24 October 2017:  Ex-priest Grecco gets 18 months in prison

19 May 2017: “Former priest Grecco found guilty of molestation” & related article

26 February 2017:  Disgraced priest to return to court

05 July 2016:  BLOG  Time to get back to ‘work’

14 October 2015:  More sex charges for disgraced ex-priest Grecco” & related article 

25 September 2015:  “UPDATED: Former priest faces sex charges” & related articles

25 September 2015: Former priest faces new sex charges

11 January 2013: Clues in the mystery of Bishop James Wingle

08 January 2013: Slow progress in Grecco civil case

17 May 2012: Justice sought

16 May 2012: Grecco’s release surprises victim

13 April 2012: Lawyer calls for ”parishioners revolt”

12 April 2012: Former priest Grecco released; whereabouts unknown

12 April 2012:  Former priest Grecco released; whereabouts unknown

02 April 2011: No extra jail time for former local priest

31 March 2011:  BLOG A Lark!

31 MArch 2011:  BLOG Guilty!

22 March 2011:  BLOG Was an internal investigation conducted?

19 January 2011: Former priest should learn where he will serve out sentence in March and comments

19 January 2011: Grecco should know fate March 9

05 January 2011: Grecco needn’t appear: judge

24 December 2010: Sentencing of ex-priest Grecco

15 December 2010:  Justice not served

13 December 2010: BLOG FYI

13 December 2010: Former priest sentenced to jail for sex assaults

13 December 2010:  Former local priest facing jail time

13 December 2010: Ex-priest jailed for 18 months for molesting altar servers

13 December 2010: Former priest sentenced to jail for sex assaults

13 December 2010: Ex-priest jailed 18 months on sex charges

13 December 2010:  Victims want abusive ex-priest jailed

13 December 2010:  Former Niagara priest to be sentenced today

12 December 2010:  BLOG  Please not a ‘Tut tut bad boy’

29 November 2010:  Grecco should get four years: Crown

27 November 2010:  Crown urges jail time for convicted priest

26 November 2010:  Crown wants Grecco jailed up to four years

25 November 2010:  Grecco back in court Friday

17 November 2010:  Disgraced ex priest paying own legal bills

08 November 2010:  Ex priest Grecco out of jail again after jail breach

08 November 2010: Former local priest released from prison

05 November 2010: Priest released from custody

05 November 2010: Defrocked priest faces lawsuit

04 November 2010:  Another bail hearing

03 November 2010:  Former priest faces second lawsuit

02 November 2010:  Former altar boy sues ex priest

30 October 2010: ‘The author of his own misfortune’

29 October 2010:  Grecco sentencing delayed again

29 October 2010:  No sentence yet for former local priest

29 October 2010: Jail abusive priest: victim

28 October 2010:  Former local priest to be sentenced Friday

28 October 2010:  “Former priest Grecco still in custody” & “Grecco hearing put over again”

22 October 2010:  Former priest still behind bars

21 October 2010: Former priest Grecco waives bail hearing

21 October 2010:  Former priest Grecco waives bail hearing

19 October 2010:  Grecco still in jail

18 October 2010:  Grecco remains in custody

14 October 2010:  Priest’s bail hearing continues Monday

13 October 2010:  Molesting priest remains behind bars

13 October 2010:  No bail given for child molesting priest

13 October 2010:  Dunville man abused as child wants answers

12 October 2010:  Ex priest remains behind bars

05 October 2010: Ex priest Grecco’s case adjourned

07 October 2010:  Grecco bail hearing adjourned

07 October 2010:  Niagara sex abuse priest back behind bars

06 October 2010:  Former priest arrested while awaiting sentencing

06 October 2010:  Former priest Grecco arrested

06 October 2010:  BLOG Major news flashes

06 October 2010:  Church abuse victim unsure about lawsuit

05 October 2010:  Victim suing Grecco, Wingle, diocese for $3M

05 October 2010:  Sex abuse victim sues St. Catharines diocese

05 October 2010: Grecco victim launches $3-million lawsuit

04 October 2010:  Man sues former priest, ex bishop in abuse case

04 October 2010:  Grecco, Wingle named in victim lawsuit

25 & 26 July 2010:  In St. Catharine’s, it’s silence for the lambs

16 July 2010:  Grecco scheduled to be in court

25 June 2010:  Abuse victim loses faith in Catholic Church

16 June 2010:  Clamping down on abusers: A Divine Sense of Duty

04 June 2010:  Former priest ‘preyed on innocence’

03 June 2010:  Priest’s victim deals with demons

03 June 2010:  Victims tell of abuse by former Roman Catholic priest while they were altar boys

03 June 2010:  Victims of former priest Donald Grecco have their say

26 May 2010:  PEI Bishop’s brother abused Ont. children

10 April 2010:  Former Cayuga priest faces sentencing on sex related charges

09 September 2009:  Head Shepherd

13 July 2009:  Bishop Grecco to lead Charlottetown diocese (Bishop Richard Grecco is Don Grecco’s brother)

02 October 2008:  Accused priest didn’t stay long:  Charged with 70s sex abuse in Cayuga

29 September 2008:  BLOG and multiple comments re Grecco “Why four years?”

27 September 2008:  Ex Cayuga priest faces sex assault charge

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Unless otherwise indicated the  following information is  drawn from the Canadian Catholic Church Directories (CCCD) which I have on hand, the 1980 Ontario Catholic Directory (OCD80, media (M) and personal information (P)

 

24 October 2017:  18 months jail, forbidden from contact with persons under age 16, must stay half a kilometer away from his victims after his release,  plus ” DNA be recorded for the national sex offender registry and banned him for life from attending public places where those under 16 are likely to be, including public parks, school grounds and community centres”

12 May 2017: GUILTY plea

24 February 2016:  charges initially being handled in Cayuga court are now being handled in St. Catharine’s

14 October 2015:  charged with one count of gross indecency and one count of indecent assault on a male.  These charges date to 1975 and involve a male complainant who was then a 13-year-old boy.

25 September 2015:  charged with two counts of gross indecency and two counts of indecent assault on a male.  The charges date from 1977 to 1982 and involve two male complainants, one who was 10-years-old, and the other 14 at the time.  The allegations relate to Grecco’s time as a priest at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church, Cayuga, Haldimand County, St. Kevin’s Roman Catholic Church, Welland, and St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, Niagara Falls, Ont.

17 December 2011:  out of jail

March 2011:  found guilty of breaching his bail conditions.  Sentenced to the 30 days he served pre-trial plus ne day – to run concurrent

13 December 2010:  sentenced to 18 months jail (on sex charges) by Ontario Superior Court Justice Kathryn Hawke

26 November 2010:  Crown attorney Gregory Smith asked for 2-and-a-half to for years in prison.  Defence lawyer Brian Donnelly asked for a conditional sentence or a prison term of at most two years less a day.

05 (?) November 2010:  released from jail – Crown attorney Jodi Whyte said she thought he had served a “long time on a simple breach.”

October 2010:  Sentencing hearing adjourned to 03 November 2010

21 October 2010:  Waived his bail hearing (o the breach charge)

06 October:  arrested – breached conditions of bail (residency requirements) while awaiting sentencing

April 2010:  GUILTY plea – out on bail pending sentencing in October

2008: charges laid (M)  at time charges were laid Grecoo was living in Picton, Ontario (M) and was registered with the Canadian Counselling Association as a private certified counsellor (M)

23-year-old step-son committed suicide about one month after Grecco was arrested (M)

2002:  Married a divorcee with two grown children. (M)

Address for Diocesan Centre

1999, 1998, 1997, 1996:  St. Alexander Roman Catholic Church, Fonthill, ON (CCCD)

1998:  attained BSc in Pastoral Counselling at Loyola University in Baltimore

1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991:  St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Niagara on the Lake (CCCD)

1980:  St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church , Cayuga (CCCD)

1985-1986:  St. Kevin Roman Catholic Church, Welland, Ontario (CCCD)

1978-1979 ?:  According to Hamilton Spectator was at St. Stephen’s in Cayuga.  Some of the sex abuse transpired during this time time.  It is said that he arrived at St. Stephen’s in 1978 and was replaced in 1979 (M)  During his tenure at the church he initiated the sponsorship of a Vietnamese refugee family (M)

1970-1978:  St. Thomas More, Niagara Falls, Ontario (Pastor Father Mahoney) (Michelle)

 – operated a youth group.  In addition met with a smaller group of young people who met with him for Friday night pizza get-togethers, play volleyball, chat and so on (Michelle)

1972-73:  St. Thomas More, Niagara Falls, Ontario (CCCD) (said to have served there from 1973-1978)

1971-72:  not listed in directory (CCCD)

1968-69:  St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Welland, Ontario

1966:  Ordained

– raised in Thorold, Ontario. His father was the  caretaker at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church in Thorold.

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Accused Priest Didn’t Stay Long

The Hamilton Spectator

02 October 2008

By Paul Legall

Charged with ’70s sex abuse in Cayuga

A former priest spent less than a year at the church where he is alleged to have sexually abused a young boy in the late 1970s.

In a history of St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church, Donald Grecco’s brief biography shows that he arrived in 1978 and was replaced by another pastor in 1979.

During his tenure, he initiated the sponsorship of a Vietnamese family, one of those who came to Canada as refugees known as “boat people.”

There is no mention of where he went or the circumstances of his quick departure.

Last month, the 68-year-old St. Catharines native was charged with gross indecency and assault on a male in connection with incidents allegedly involving a child while he was at St. Stephen’s.

Haldimand OPP Detective Constable Julie Lord said Grecco will remain out of custody until his first appearance in Cayuga court Oct. 15. In the meantime, he must keep out of Cayuga except to attend court, and is prohibited from having any contact with the complainant, who recently brought the allegations to the attention of the OPP.

However, Grecco didn’t have to post bail to secure his release.

Grecco is now living in Picton, Ont., and registered with the Canadian Counselling Association as a private certified counsellor.

“I know he’s not in the priesthood,” Lord said in a telephone interview.

But she didn’t know why or when he left the vocation.

After leaving Cayuga, Grecco spent time as a priest at St. Kevin’s church in Welland and at St. Alexander church in Fonthill, where he was still living in the rectory in 2002 and 2003.

Some neighbours on Parker Street in Picton, where Grecco is living with a female realtor, were surprised to learn he’d been a priest.

A neighbour, who didn’t want her name used, described him as intelligent and articulate and an excellent neighbour. She said he’d never told her he had been a priest, but he did mention that he had a brother in the priesthood.

Grecco actually has two brothers who are still in the priesthood. Richard Grecco, who was ordained in 1973, is now Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto and vice-president of the Ontario Conference of Bishops. He is also a theological scholar and professor.

Denis Grecco, who was ordained in 1983, studied at Cambridge University in England and is now a parish priest.

The Grecco boys had a strong connection to the church while they were growing up in Thorold, where their father was caretaker of Holy Rosary church.

Denise Manley, office manager for the counselling association, said Grecco was still a counsellor in good standing as of last week, when the association first learned he was facing criminal charges.

She said the association will keep track of the case but won’t review his status unless he’s convicted of the charges or somebody files a formal complaint.

To be certified as a counsellor, she said, Grecco would have needed a master’s degree in counselling or a related field and counselling experience. As a member of the association, a self-governing body with about 3,000 members, he can get liability insurance and have his name listed on the association website.

Monsignor Wayne Kirkpatrick, chancellor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Catharines, wouldn’t provide any background information about Grecco or confirm that he was no longer a priest.

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Court Dates from 2015 charges

(court dates which have passed are scored out thus.

Scroll down to bottom of page  for court dates from 2010 charges)

New charges (September 2015 & 14 October 2015)

Next court dates:  24 October 2017:  sentencing, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St. ; 07 September 2017:  sentencing hearing,  Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St)12 May 2017:  09:30 am, “to be spoken to,”  courtroom #4,  Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St). ; 26 April 2017: 10 am, “a plea,”   courtroom #4, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St).; 27 March: 10 am, “to be spoken to,”  courtroom #5, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.; 28 February 2017:  pre-trial hearing (NOT open to the public),Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)  ; 26 January 2017:  pre-trial hearing (NOT open to the public), courtroom #1, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)  ; 21 December 2016:  10 am, “to be spoken to,”  courtroom #1, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.) ; 31 October 2016:  10 am, Pre-trial (NOT open to public),  Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.) 30 August 2016:  10 am, “to be spoken to” courtroom #4,  Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, ; 22 July 2016: 10 am, “to be spoken to” courtroom #1,  Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, 28 June 2016:  10 am, “for a motion” courtroom #1,  Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse,; 26 April 2016: 09:00 am, “to be spoken to,”  courtroom #2, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, ; 05 April 2016:  09:00 am, “to be spoken to,”  courtroom #2, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse,  ; 01 March 2016:  09:00 am, “to be spoken to,”  courtroom #2, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse,;16 February 2016:  9 am, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse,

Cayuga, Ontario:  23 February 2016: 2 pm, “to be spoken to,” Cayuga court house (55 Munsee St. N., Cayuga, Ontario)02 February 2016:   2 pm, “to be spoken to,” Cayuga court house (55 Munsee St. N., Cayuga, Ontario) ; 19 February2 pm,  2016:  2 pm,  Cayuga court house (55 Munsee St. N., Cayuga, Ontario) Full publication ban in effect;  08 December 2015: Cayuga court house (55 Munsee St. N., Cayuga, Ontario)

 

Court-dates from 2010 charges

Don Grecco was re-arrested Wednesday 06 October 2010 for breach of residency requirements

Breach charge:  30 March 2011: CONVICTED – sentenced to 30 days served pre-sentence and one day to run concurrently!  Has failed to appear for last two breach charge court dates.  Next court date on breach charge: 30 March 2011 (09:30 am,  Court room #1.  Picton Ontario courthouse. “To speak to”).  Were to know by 09 March 2011 if the breach charges against him will be stayed;  19 January 2011 (Picton); 05 January 2011 (Picton); 15 December 201005 November 2010(9 am, Belleville “A” court)  03 November 2010:  (Picton, Ontario – adjourned ) 27 October 2010(adjourned)

Bail hearing: 21 October 2010:  1 pm Bail hearing (Belleville, Ontario) waived;  18 October 2010:  Bail hearing (Belleville, Ontario) 14 October 2010″: Bail hearing: 13 (12 ?) October 2010:  Bail hearing  (Belleville, Ontario)  07 October 2010 (bail hearing adjourned)

Sentencing hearing:  26 November 2010. 10 am 29 October 2010: Sentencing (Hamilton, Ontario.) 16 July 2010:  New sentencing date DELAY (Grecco had surgery 12 July 2010); 30 August 2010:  hearing scheduled to determine when to reschedule sentencing hearing

Sentencing date:  13 December 2010 (10 am, courtroom #3o2, John Sopinka courthouse, Hamilton)

03 June 2010: Sentencing scheduled.  Victims impact statements given.  Sentencing postponed because Grecco has medical tests scheduled!

38 Responses to Grecco: Donald Grecco

  1. Sylvia says:

    The next court date for Don Grecco is:

    02 February 2016: 2 pm, “to be spoken to,” Cayuga court house (55 Munsee St. N., Cayuga, Ontario)

    Please keep the complainants in your prayers.

    • Mike Blum says:

      Hi Sylvia,
      I just found out that the Grecco case is being moved to St. Catharines. The first date for that court will be on February 16th, sorry not sure of the time. It has to do with the new charges and where most of them took place. Cayuga is in Haldimand County and St. Catharines is in Niagara.

      Mike

  2. Sylvia says:

    Thanks Mike. I will check for time.

  3. Anonymous says:

    How pathetic that this man Grecco was ordained a priest! His friend Jim Neil walks around as if nothing has happened ??!!! I have seen him at many of our meetings ????!!! There are many priests in our diocese who are in good position as pastors, deans and diocesan college of consultors who are friends of them and they gather very often. I saw Bishop Knight, one of the accused, at the funeral of Msgr. Fernando at Our Lady of Scapular parish, Niagara Falls!!!! He had no right to be there even as a priest or bishop. How pathetic that he was there for the funeral ???!!!! .

  4. Sylvia says:

    The charges against Donald Grecco in Cayuga are in the process of being transferred to St. Catharine’s. There is nothing on the books yet at St. Catharine’s. According to the Cayuga courthouse, the desire is to have the charges transferred. This could take a few days. I will check the status of the charges again around the middle of next week. The Cayuga courtdate in early February still stands -it will be dealing with the status of the transfer of the charges:

    02 February 2016: 2 pm, “to be spoken to,” Cayuga court house (55 Munsee St. N., Cayuga, Ontario)

  5. Sylvia says:

    There are two upcoming courtdates for Donald Grecco, one in St. Catharine’s, and the other in Cayuga. I was told that the Cayuga charges were NOT the same as those at St. Catharine’s , which would mean that there is a separate charge or set of charges now going through St. Catharine’s. I will inquire further into this tomorrow – I’m just not so sure. Anyway, the following two court dates do stand:

    16 February 2016: 9 am, St Catharine’s courthouse

    23 February 2016: 2 pm, “to be spoken to,” Cayuga court house (55 Munsee St. N., Cayuga, Ontario)

  6. Sylvia says:

    I was told that the charges in Cayuga were going to be laid in another jurisdiction and therefore no more courtdates in Cayuga, so that means all the charges are now being handled in St. Catharine’s.

    The next courtdate at the St. Catharine’s courthouse is:

    01 March 2016: 09:00 am, “to be spoken to,” courtroom #2 Robert S. K. Welch courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)

    Please keep the complainant in your prayers

  7. Sylvia says:

    The next court-date for Donald Grecco is:

    05 April 2016: 09:00 am, “to be spoken to,” courtroom #2, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)

    Please keep the complainant in your prayers.

  8. Jack sprat says:

    Donald Greco , preist George smith and da bishop lahey , are all in the rubarb patch I see , well well . There all buddy’s and keeping all kinds of dirty secrets , covering up for each other on there dirt and lies . Sick homo pedophiles preying on the week and poor . Old George smith sure as hell didn’t know what hit him when he got my hard fist between the 2 eyes one day , and I’d love nothin more then to give the rest of them the same medicine . I thank god that day that I had the self esteem and courage to defend myself as a young boy .

  9. Jack sprat says:

    Hi Sylvia , I’m actually glad you got this site it allows me to vent my rage towards the sick preist and the knowings of what bishop layhey and George smith did to a lot of the kids . I’ve got all the statements from the victims and what smith did , he’s a pure manipulating wolf in Sheeps clothing , for years all I did was box and fight and become a steroid junky , my heart truly goes to the victims , and with that being said , if I ever laid eyes on any of them I don’t think I’d be able to control myself . There’s nothing that would stop me other than a bullet from the rcmp , that was the only reason why I wouldnt. Go to court on the day of sentenceing , which was offered to me by victim services . I feel for the victims and know the shame ,and stuck in loneliness , it’s like there’s no escape , Aswell as spiritual bankrupcy and only the purest of rage . I know I need help myself , and I’m were I am for a reason .

  10. JMac says:

    The Catholic church needs to seriously review their hiring criteria, for lack of a better term. When you have an organization so polluted with a such a specific deviant clicque as this, man, do you need to reassess what you’re looking for in terms of recruits. After reading post after post of the churches efforts to cover up, pay off, move these abhorrent predators to other unsuspecting communities, I wonder if they have any clue what they’re supposed to represent in parishioners lives? A recent parallel was drawn with a school that had 10% of teachers molesting students? What about a police station with 10% of the force that is corrupt? Reading about delay after delay in court proceedings & a seemly willful effort on the court’s part to put off taking the ownership of leveling any justice at the offenders, it seems they prefer to let time do the job, hopeful of the passing of these pedophiles. I put this in Grecco’s bio, as he was once again supposed to be in court today. Any info anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

    • Sylvia says:

      I will find out tomorrow JMac. I won’t be able to find out what – if anything – happened today, but I will be able to get and then post the next court date. Barring media coverage or a report from someone in the courtroom we have to wait until the at least the following afternoon to get next courtdates – it’s something to do with getting the files back from the courtrooms and into the of office.

    • Geenda says:

      I couldn’t agree more with you jMac, I think this serial molestation of innocent children is the crime of the century and I can’t for the life of me figure out why the press is so silent on it…Once the poorer countries children start growing up in this global community, there will be nowhere to hide and those children who had no voice while those priests stole their futures, will be screaming bloody murder!

  11. Sylvia says:

    The next court date for Donald Grecco is:

    26 April 2016: 09:00 am, “to be spoken to,” courtroom #2, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)

    Please keep the complainant in your prayers.

  12. Sylvia says:

    Those in the St. Catharine’s area please mark your calendars. The next court date for Donald Grecco is:

    28 June 2016: 10 am, “for a motion” courtroom #1, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)

    The only way for us to find out what the motion is about is to be there. Please try to get there. Sit close to the front – acoustics in most courtrooms are poor and you really do need to be sitting right up at the front to catch what is being said.

    Please, as always, keep the complainant in your prayers.

  13. JMac says:

    Does anyone know if Grecco has been in custody until his court date tomorrow?

  14. JMac says:

    Any update on Grecco’s court date yesterday?

  15. Sylvia says:

    The next court date for ex priest Donald Grecco is:

    22 July 2016: 10 am, “to be spoken to” courtroom #1, Robert S. K. Welch St. St. Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)

    Please keep the complainants in your prayers

  16. Sylvia says:

    The next court date for Donald Grecco is:

    30 August 2016: 10 am, “to be spoken to” courtroom #4, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)

    Please keep the complainants in your prayers

  17. Sylvia says:

    Finally!
    The next court date for Donald Grecco is:

    31 October 2016: 10 am, Pre-trial (NOT open to public), Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)

    Please note that this is a pre-trial – it will be conducted in chambers and is NOT open to the public.

    As always, please keep Grecco’s many victims in your prayers.

  18. Sylvia says:

    The next court date for Donald Grecco is:

    21 December 2016: 10 am, “to be spoken to,” courtroom #6, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)

    Please keep the complainants in your prayers

  19. JMac says:

    Any news on Grecco’s last court visit in Dec?

  20. Sylvia says:

    The next court date for Donald Grecco is:

    26 January 2017: pre-trial hearing (NOT open to the public), courtroom #1, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)

    Note that this is NOT open to the public.

    Please keep the complainant in your prayers.

  21. Sylvia says:

    According to a news report, Donald Grecco’s court date of today was adjourned. The next court date is:

    28 February 2017: Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)

    I will check tomorrow afternoon to find out the start time and also to see is this is another pre-trial hearing. When I find out I will let you know.

    Please keep the complainant in your prayers.

  22. Sylvia says:

    Yes, Donald Grecco’s next court date is another pre-trial hearing. It is NOT opne to the public:

    28 February 2017: pre-trial hearing (NOT open to the public),Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)

  23. Sylvia says:

    The next court date for Donald Grecco is:

    27 March 2017: 10 am, “to be spoken to,” courtroom #5, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St.)

    Please keep the complainant in your prayers.

  24. Sylvia says:

    The next court date for Donald Grecco is:

    26 April 2017: 10 am, “a plea,” courtroom #4, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St)

    Perhaps a guilty plea in the offing?

    We shall see…

    Please keep the complainants in your prayers

  25. JMac says:

    Any word on the outcome of his plea?

  26. Sylvia says:

    I don’t know if there was a plea JMac. Here is what I know:

    The next court date for Don Grecco is thiscoming Friday:

    Friday, 12 May 2017: 09:30 am, “to be spoken to,” courtroom #4, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St).

    Please keep the complainant in your prayers

  27. Sylvia says:

    Just on my way out the door when I spotted this. A guilty plea. I will post it later:

    Niagara priest pleads guilty to molesting two boys
    19 May 2017

    CKTB News
    6:04 AM

    Police are urging victims of a priest who pleaded guilty last week to molesting two boys to come forward.

    Former priest Donald Grecco pleaded guilty last week to three counts of gross indecency in the sexual assault of the two boys more than 40 years ago.

    The charges stem from incidents that took place between 1977 and 1982 when Grecco was a priest at St. Thomas More in Niagara Falls, St. Kevin’s in Welland and St. Stephen’s in Cayuga

    He will return to court September 7th for sentencing.

    In 2010 Grecco pleaded guilty to molesting three altar boys in the 1970’s and 80’s.

    He was sentenced to 18 months behind bars and two year’s probation.

  28. Sylvia says:

    The article is posted here:

    19 May 2017: “Former priest Grecco found guilty of molestation” & related article

    Actually there are two articles there, but same text. There are a number of others – again, same text so decided to stick with the two.

    First, as always, I commend the victims for coming forward. Good for you!

    Second, is it just me who can not and probably never will understand why it takes 18 months or more for a molester to conclude that he really and truly did commit the atrocities which led to the charges?

    And is it just me who struggles to comprehend why after a guilty plea on the heels the 18 month or more examination of conscience – during which his victims are re-victimized and suffer further cruel and unusual punishment – he will move into sentencing where he will without doubt successfully argue that his guilty plea is a mitigating factor which spared his victims the ordeal of a trial and hence the judge should shower him with compassion and a lesser sentence?

    Does it make any sense? Any?

  29. Mike Fitzgerald says:

    It’s not just you – hundreds of us wonder the same thing. I would think that after hearing thousands of personal confessions, a Catholic priest would do the right thing and fess up.
    Apparently not – money, power, and the worry of the resultant “scandal” trumps integrity and decency.
    It is literally a crying shame. Mike.

  30. Thomas Kehoe says:

    Was an alter boy during his time at st. Alexander… actually spoke highly of this dirt bag…. to see this… thankfully i dodged a bullet but my thoughts and prayers go out to those who did not

  31. Michelle says:

    Dear Sylvia,
    I found your site about a year ago when I saw a newspaper headline about Fthr. Donald Grecco…my childhood priest…I have been greatly distressed about this, and when I recently saw more charges and conviction-and then began reading your site and other articles about the great Catholic cover up, I decided I needed to write to you.

    I want to let you know that Fathr Grecco was at my parish church, St. Thomas More in Niagara Falls, from 1970-78-I knew these dates from my own experiences, and checked on the Parish website-from Home go to Parish History, and you will see the dates…along with the name of the Sr. Pastor, Fthr. Mahoney-who served the entire time Donald Grecco was there.

    Previously to either of them being there, the Sr. Pastor was Fthr. Matthew Clifford-a wonderful ‘grandfatherly’ type priest, and Fthr. Denis Mazerolle, a big loving Italian-both of these men were no-nonsense, loving and kind priests…in those days the Priests came to the primary schools to talk to and teach little children, and the Parish Priests knew your family and circumstances-I don’t remember them ever alone with anybody or creating situations where they were alone with kids.

    It is inconceivable to me, that Fthr. Grecco, in a small rectory, lived with, ate with, worked with Fthr. Mahoney-and yet the Senior Pastor “didn’t know/had nothing to say”…balderdash-the Rectory is small, the grounds behind it open and viewable, the Church open-concept….kindof like the Principal of St. Thomas More School, Sr. Selema, beating the tar out of little primary school-age children on a daily basis (including my brothers) and walking around with that rubber ‘tire-iron’ in her habit pocket, just waiting to beat children-but physical abuse is another stellar story of Catholic history.

    In 1970 I was in grade 7 at Carmel-prior to that in grade school at St. Thomas More, and from ’72-76 in public high school, and then in a local College. I was a part of Fthr. Grecco’s ‘youth group’ from grade 7-11; I am from an Irish Catholic family that attended church weekly and had priest visits at home. In addition to the youth group, there was a smaller group, of which I was a part, of kids that Fthr. Grecco-through his initiation- regularly spent time with (‘grooming’ us I realize now) -we went on Friday night pizza get togethers, played volleyball, sat around and talked-one summer when we were too young to get real summer jobs, he got a job for us and drove us to and from daily. I remember my Mother saying, “I never worry when you are out with Fthr. Grecco and the boys”…this was the trust parents-all of us-had in Priests.

    What strikes me now in looking back is-all the kids in the small group were vulnerable-each had a missing parent thru death/divorce, more than one had other troubles at home-we were needy of attention and kindness. I was the only girl in this group-always picked up last and driven home first on these group outings…I am horrified to wonder what may have happened when he was alone with the boys-or the final boy… And even for myself-I now realize I may have escaped a tragedy-he used to sit with me on the grass behind the rectory-asking me very inappropriate questions about myself and boys, reading me poems and words to songs-all suggestive and not ‘priestly’…I just thought he was weird and eventually became busy with other things and avoided him-but in looking back, it is very obvious to me he was predatory with everyone in this small group.

    Perhaps nobody in that little group was hurt-but to think that Don Grecco, abusing his power and trust as a Priest, has only hurt a handful of young people-is naive! A predator/pedophile didn’t become that way half-way through his life-he has used the cloak of trust to set up situations in numerous Parishes. Just like in Boston-it is obvious to me that they moved him around so much to protect him. I believe the Bishop and the Diocese to be culpable where he is concerned, and as a life-long Catholic-I believe the ‘system’ is corrupt and not about to be fixed anytime soon. Nobody puts themselves through the hell of disclosure, revealing sordid details and the ensuing problems in their life, unless it really happened!

    Although my faith is strong and I believe in God-I have no use for the Church-from everything I am reading, the Church is more about Pastoral Compassionate care and less about-these are crimes. The Pope is powerless to enforce his ‘0 tolerance’ and his own #3 man on the job is currently being investigated. The Bishops voted down the ability to de-frock and criminally prosecute Priests found guilty of these crimes and routinely send Priests back into community.

    There are two things folks need to know:

    1. These issues don’t just hurt the victims-but everyone around them as well-it is a ripple effect through out all of their lives-to be whole and well in spite of what happened

    2. If every person looked at it in the context of: what if this happened to me/to my child/my brother or sister/my parent…how would people like the Catholic Church and society at large to respond?

    The minimal sentencing, the resistance of “Church Lawyers”, the resistance of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, the disbelief of folks who cannot grasp that, although Church doctrine condemns homosexuality-in fact-a high percentage of the Church’s representatives are homosexual predators!

    I realize there is so much info and knowledge that you have…can you write a blog and suggest to us-what can we do to help? What action/movement/insistence can people take that will help to move this forward-like the #MeToo movement-what can we do to help??? Currently-how many Catholic Priests have been charged/investigated since you started this site? I think this number would be of interest to people and should be prominently displayed on the site-like a countdown-it speaks volumes.

    I also want to say-I note that everything to do with the Don Grecco charges of those whose names have been protected, indicate several Parishes, and so maybe it never happened to the small group I have talked about-and I know that victims do sometimes contact you and speak with people who ‘knew them when’-if this ever happens and it was within this small group, I would be very willing to communicate with those boys and to offer support etc. so please keep this in mind.

    • Geenda says:

      Very well said Michelle! What strikes me as so unusual is, the media tends to either gloss over or outrightly ignore the horrendous acts committed by these wolves in priests clothing.. I have often said in my posts that if puppies and kittens were being abused on this scale there would be a national outcry. Writing about the heinous abuse the church has perpetrated on vulnerable children isn’t popular with readers, because then we would have to admit what a sham the Catholic religion really is. I am a product of those horrors and I like many others, had my future stolen from me. From the sound of your post you were safe and I am thankful for that. Not so sure about the little boy dropped off last….

  32. Joe Barriault says:

    Grecco will be released April 23, 2018

  33. Sylvia says:

    Thank you Joe. Not good news at all. He will have served about six months of an 18 month sentence.

    Sad. What an insult this is to the victims, and to what we call “justice.”

    My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims.

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