Father Bill Moloney to return to his Peterborough flock after being cleared of any wrongdoing

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 Father Bill Moloney will return as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish on Wednesday (July 12)NewsJul 09, 2017Peterborough This Week

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09 July 2017      Peterborough This Week

Father Bill Moloney

A photo of Father Bill Moloney taken in front of his former St. Anne’s Parish in Peterborough in 2012. Father Moloney is being investigated for sexual misconduct involving a boy at Camp Northern Lights in Haliburton.

PETERBOROUGH – A Peterborough priest cleared of sexual misconduct allegations will return as pastor of his church.

Father Bill Moloney will return as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish on Wednesday (July 12). Father Moloney was placed on administrative leave in November of 2016 when Haliburton OPP began an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse at Camp Northern Lights, where he is a director.

The OPP wrapped up its investigation in December of 2016 and cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing.

Following that, the Peterborough diocese undertook its own review of Father Moloney’s actions. That was conducted by a review board composed of nine members –  six lay persons and three clergy – all of whom have signed a confidentiality agreement and are bound not to disclose the file materials, the review board deliberations or recommendations.

Board members have experience in areas of psychology, social work and law. That review board recommended that Father Moloney return as pastor of Immaculate Conception.

Former mayor and parish member Paul Ayotte says he and the other members are glad to see Father Moloney’s return.

“We’re very excited to have him back and look forward to his ministry,” he says.

He also says the parish was happy to hear the announcement and is glad to be seeing him again.

A press release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough says “the Review Board exercised its role under the Policy and has rendered the recommendation that Father Bill Moloney be returned to ministry as Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish.”

It also says the appropriate course of action was followed and Father Maloney will be returning based on the review board’s recommendations.

“The faithful have been asked to continue praying for Father Bill Moloney as he returns to ministry and to keep in prayer all those impacted by this difficult situation,” the release concludes.

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Internal investigation of Fr. Moloney continues by diocese

Congregation of Immaculate Conception Church in Peterborough will continue to have interim priests for now

12 March  2017

by Lois Tuffin Peterborough This Week

Father Bill Moloney

A photo of Father Bill Moloney taken in front of his former St. Anne’s Parish in Peterborough in 2012. Father Moloney is being investigated for sexual misconduct involving a boy at Camp Northern Lights in Haliburton.

PETERBOROUGH – The diocese overseeing Peterborough is still investigating allegations into the conduct of Fr. Bill Moloney, his congregation was told on Saturday evening and Sunday.

Fr. Moloney and diocese spokesperson Deirdre Thomas issued a joint statement, asking for prayers for all parties involved as they work towards a “final outcome.”

“There was also a recognition that the communication has been transparent to the degree possible without an impact to the people making the accusations and Father Bill,” Thomas said in an interview.

“We asked for the respect of privacy and to keep them in the prayers of the faithful.”

Fr. Moloney was removed from his post as priest at Immaculate Conception Church in late October after allegations by a former student at Camp Northern Lights. An OPP investigation concluded without charges in December and the church began its own internal investigation.

The diocese had expected to wrap up that investigation by mid-February so it offered the latest message in order to update parishioners.

Fr. Peter Seabrooke and Fr. Peter Wayow will continue to fill in at Immaculate Conception during the rest of the investigation, Thomas says.

3 Responses to Father Bill Moloney to return to his Peterborough flock after being cleared of any wrongdoing

  1. Sylvia says:

    Please note that Father Bill Moloney was scheduled to return to Blessed Sacrament Church in Peterborough today as Pastor. The decision was made following the recommendation of a nine-member review board.

  2. RodneyMJ says:

    I was shocked today to see him at the ST Johns Church I felt like running out of the place cause of the post of this and there is kids around there also of One Roof Diner but I did not leave I ? another member she said it was cleared. I went to a staff supervisor told him I felt uncomfortable of him been there cause of his charges and the person I talked to said he was clear from this I said ok thanks: I also asked ?s on Twitter as well got a few back from news reporters:

  3. Chris says:

    I read everything that the local paper wrote about Fr. Bill and how the parishioners reacted, if you haven’t been through this you have no idea how your life and everyone around you is impacted. I am the mother of the person who went to the police and according to them this case is open and will remain open. According to the police that they needed other people from the community to come forward and that didn’t happen. All I can say anyone reading this your life is forever changed. You will never feel safe or trust again. Its a sad thing to say. We have been dealing with this for our son for many years and we just want peace in his life, and for him to feel safe.

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