Vaillancourt: Father Denis Vaillancourt

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Vaillancourt Class of 1969 1967 Horizon Cornwall Classical College yearbook

Denis Vaillancourt Class of 1969 (67 Horizon – CCC yearbook)

Vaillancourt pic

One Hundred Thousand Welcomes, 1990

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Denis Vaillancourt

Roman Catholic priest.  Ordained 1974 for the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall, Ontario.  Studied Canon Law at Ottawa’s St. Paul U at same time as married layman, lawyer and good friend Jacques Leduc   – the two served together on the diocesan tribunal.

(Convicted molester and Viatorian priest Father Ronald Leger  was a teacher at the Cornwall Classical College while Vaillancourt was a student)

Served as Chaplain at La Citadelle high School.  Assisted Father Gilles Deslaurier with French youth group R Cubed (Deslaurier is now a convicted molester).  Later Vaillancourt was assisted by Father Luc Bouchard, – Bouchard, who would later become bishop of the Diocese of St. Paul, Alberta, is now Bishop of the Diocese of Trois Rivieres, Quebec

Has served as Chancellor of the diocese.   Has said that the sex abuse of boys is serious only if the child is pre-pubescent

Father Vaillancourt testified in French at the Cornwall Public Inquiry 26, 27  June 2008.

29 October 2015:  Sexual assault charge laid related to incident involving an adult male at a South Glengarry home in September 2015.  The incident was reported to police 18 October 2015.

11 September 2017GUILTY verdict

15 December 2017: sentenced to  six months’ house arrest followed by six months of curfew.   for groping the adult son of a family who he had served as family priest for decades.  After this probation for one years.  There is a;so a $500 fine to be paid to a charity

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15 December 2017:  Retired priest sentenced in Cornwall to house arrest, curfew, probation

11 September 2017:  Statement from the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall Re Fr. Denis Vaillancourt

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Next court date:   15 December 201710  9 am, sentencing, courtroom #7, Cornwall Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.) ;10 November 2917:  09:00 am, sentencing,  courtroom #6, Cornwall Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.); 11 September 2017:  09:00 am, VERDICT,  Cornwall Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.) changed from 14 Sept. ’17]; 13 July 2017: 2 pm, TRIAL day four,  closing arguments,   Cornwall Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.);13-15 June 2017: 10 am, TRIAL  Cornwall Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.) ; 06 July 2016:  09:00 am, “to be spoken to,” Alexandria, Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North); 08 June 2016:  09:00 am, “to be spoken to,” Alexandria, Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North) ; 11 May 2016:  09:00 am, “to set a date,” Alexandria (for some reason this was  held in Cornwall), Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North); 09 March 2016: 09:00 am, “to set a date,” Alexandria, Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North); 06 January 2016: 9 am,  “to be spoken to,” Alexandria, Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North) ; 09 December 2015:  9 am,  Alexandria, Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North)18 November 2015:  9 am,  Alexandria, Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North)

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Bishops of Alexandria Cornwall Diocese from the time of Father Vaillancourt’s ordination:  Adolphe E. Proulx (28 April 1967 – 13 Febrile 1974 – then appointed, Bishop of Hull, Québec); Eugène Philippe LaRocque (24 June 1974 – 27 April 2002); Paul-André Durocher (27 April 2002 – 12 October 2011 then appointed, Archbishop of Gatineau, Québec); Marcel Damphousse (28 June 2012 -12 November 2015 )

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The Trial

Defence lawyer:  Don Johnson          Judge:  Diane Lahaie                    Crown:  Elaine Evans

12 September 2017:  Retired Alexandria-Cornwall priest found guilty of sexual assault

11 September 2017:  BLOG A guilty verdict!!

11 September 2017:  BLOG We shall see….

24 July 2017:  BLOG Betrayed!

13 July 2017:  Denis Vaillancourt verdict expected in Cornwall court on Sept. 14

22 June 2017:  BLOG “Why is he saying he’s not guilty?”

20 June 2017:  BLOG   A little background

16 June 2017:  BLOG  A painful process

15 June 2017:  BLOG  But, here we are at trial

13 June 2017: BLOG Day One wrapped up

13 June 2017:  BLOG Trial starts today

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Documents of Interest

Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Sexual Assault Investigations

Undated:  Father Denis Vaillancourt recap of 09 Feb 1993 meeting with Dave Silmser (re Silmser sex abuse allegations against Father Charles MacDonald) Father Vaillancourt had presumably been designated the note taker for this meeting.  When chaos erupted he alleges his report had disappeared from his computer.  These notes were therefore written from memory at a later date.

14 July 2008:  Jacques Leduc testimony at Cornwall Public Inquiry  (exchange regarding notion he and Father Vaillancourt shared in ’86 that if a victim was deemed “predisposed” to homosexuality that predisposition could have a bearing on the victim’s “consent” to the abuse. )

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BLOGS and Media

(Scroll down for other media and articles of interest)

03 August 2017:  BLOG  True or false?

24 July 2017:  BLOG Betrayed!

22 June 2017:  BLOG “Why is he saying he’s not guilty?”

20 June 2017:  BLOG   A little background

16 June 2017:  BLOG  A painful process

15 June 2017:  BLOG  But, here we are at trial

13 June 2017: BLOG Day One wrapped up

13 June 2017:  BLOG Trial starts today

11 June 2017:  BLOG Cornwall trial this week

13 July 2016:  BLOG How convoluted is this?

03 November 2015: BLOG  Yes, it’s a sexual assault charge

03 November 2015:  Retired Alexandria-Cornwall priest Denis Vaillancourt’s charge: sexual assault

02 November 2015:  BLOG  Lo and behold…

01 November 2015:  BLOG Seriously. He said that

13 July 2013:  BLOG Dear Lord help us! (news of the charges against Father Vaillancourt surfaced on a thread on this blog)

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BLOGS posted during to Cornwall Public Inquiry

30 July 2008:  BLOG  Nothing to instil pride

16 July 2008:  BLOG  I am ashamed

04 July 2008:  BLOG  Major victories

03 July 2008:  BLOG  Too too much

27 June 2008:  BLOG  In the thick of things

26 June 2008:  BLOG  Here we go again

28 August 2oo7: BLOG Fireworks at the Weave Shed?

13 February 2007:  BLOG A small small world

07 October 2006:  BLOG What’s wrong with people’s heads?

04 April 2006:  BLOG  Legal limbo

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Unless otherwise indicated the following information is drawn from Canadian Catholic Directories (CCCD) which I have on hand, media (M), One Hundred Thousand Welcomes: The Story of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall 1890-1990 (One Hundred Thousand Welcomes)

–  according to media reports, Father Vaillancourt is living in Lasalle, Quebec (M)

31 October 2015Listed as Judicial Vicar on diocesan website

29 October 2015:  charged (listed in Cornwall Standard Freeholder article as  “retired”)

18 October 2015:  Stormont Dundas and  Glengarry OPP report

On October 18, 2015 – Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry (SD&G) Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began an investigation into a report of a sexual assault incident which had occurred in September 2015 at a residence in South Glengarry Township. Investigation indicated that an adult male had been sexually assaulted by the accused male.

Denis VAILLANCOURT (70) of Lasalle, Quebec was arrested on October 29, 2015 and is charged with;

– Sexual Assault

He was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Alexandria on November 18, 2015.

September 2015:  charge relates to incident which transpired some time in September at a South Glengarry home (M)

31 May 2015:  Notice in the Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church (Alexandria) bulletin:

Come and Live Calvary
Calvary is located behind Ste-Marie-de-l’Assomption (4172 Highway 34 Green Valley) and Massesare bilingual. If it rains, Mass will be moved to the church. Following Mass you are invited to pray theStations of the Cross. The outdoor Mass schedule is as follows: Saturday, June 13th at 10:30 am,
Celebrant–Bishop Marcel Damphousse, Wednesday, July 15th at 7:30 pm, Celebrant–Bishop Marcel Damphousse, Saturday, August 15th at 10:30 am, Celebrant–Fr. Denis Vaillancourt and
Saturday, September 12th at 10:30 am, Celebrant-Bishop Marcel Damphousse. Everyone welcome.

March 2015Father Vaillancourt at Blessed Sacrament March 2015

2015, 2014, 2013:  Pastor, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Alexandria, Ontario (CCD)

–  No longer shown as Chancellor of the Diocese (CCCD)

–  May 2014:  Pastor at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Alexandria, and Our Lady of Assumption RC in Green Valley, Ontario (  ’14 Clergy to have new_modified roles’ )

–   Listed as member of Tribunal with Mme Kim Walsh and Mme. Yolande Villeneuve (CCCD) (Kimberley Walsh is now Chancellor)

31 January 2012:  In attendance at the Knights of Columbus, Alexandria Cornwall Diocesan Association meeting at Saint-Félix-de-Valois, 620 Glengarry Boulevard, Cornwall (Fr Vaillancourt listed as a member of Council #1919 District # 81, Glengarry-Sacre-Coueur Council) (Vaillancourt KOC January 2012) (I opted to redact all names and exclude the attachemtn with names of all those in attendance)

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

–  Listed as Chancellor of the diocese (CCCD)

–  Listed as member of Tribunal with Mme Kim Walsh and Mme. Yolande Villeneuve (CCCD)

2002:  Administrator at Canadian Martyr’s Roman Catholic Church, Cornwall, Ontario (CCCD)

–  Listed as Chancellor of the diocese (CCCD)

–  Listed as member of Tribunal with Fathers Bernard Guindon, Rene Dube ( “alleged” molester), layman, lawyer, Church Canon lawyer  Jacques Leduc (“alleged” molester), Gord Bryan (deacon),  and Mme, Claire McNamara.  (CCCD) (Please note:  When David Silmser first contacted the diocese alleging sexual abuse by Father Charles MacDonald he spoke to Father Guindon.    Guindon’s response was essentially to brush Silmser off, erroneously advising that since he, Silmser, no longer lived in the area but in the Ottawa area he should contact the Archdiocese of Ottawa. Silmser then talked to Monsignor Schonenebach in Ottawa who redirected everything back to Cornwall  )

13 May 2002:  After Jacques Leduc’s first stay on sex abuse charges a group of parents, supporters and victims met with Father Vaillancourt at the diocesan centre.  During the meeting Father Vaillancourt implied that sex abuse of teenage boys was really no big deal – according to him sex abuse of boys is only a serious matter if the boys are pre-pubescent. At this the mother of a Leduc victim broke down in tears. Vaillancourt also told the group that Bishop Eugene Larocque put $50,000 of his own monies into diocesan coffers to help defray legal costs.

When asked if Jacques Leduc had had the pre-requisites to study canon law Vaillancourt said no, the prerequisites had been waived.  Vaillancourt said he thought that was unusual and that in his eyes Leduc was given preferential treatment.

Monsignor Vaillancourt said he did not know why Leduc decided to pursue studies in canon law, nor if he, Leduc,  had pursued the studies at the request of Bishop Larocque.

2000, 1999, 1998:  Pastor, St. Theresa of Lesieux Roman Catholic Church, Cornwall, Ontario (CCCD)

–  Listed as Chancellor of the diocese (CCCD)

–  Listed as member of Tribunal with Fathers Bernard Guindon, Rene Dube ( “alleged” molester), layman, lawyer, Church Canon lawyer  Jacques Leduc (“alleged” molester), Gord Bryan (deacon),  and Sr. Madeleine Lalonde SSCJ  (CCCD) (See note on Father Guindon in 2002 entry)

1997: Pastor, Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church, Glen Walter, Ontario (CCCD)

–  Listed as Chancellor of the Diocese (CCCD)

–  Listed as member of Tribunal with Fathers Bernard Guindon, Rene Dube ( “alleged” molester), Gord Bryan (deacon), Jeanine Lacombe and Sr. Madeleine Lalonde SSCJ, and Jean-Paul Poniski (CCCD) (See note on Father Guindon in 2002 entry)

1994-1996:  Francophone consultor for Canadian Canon Law Society (Father Vaillancourt Francophone consultor for Canadian Canon Law Society)

1996:  Pastor, Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church, Glen Walter, Ontario (CCCD)

–  Executor of Bishop Rosario Brodeur’s will (Nothing to instil pride)

–   Listed as Chancellor of the diocese (CCCD)

–   Listed as the diocesan contact for the R Cube (CCCD)

–  Listed as member of Tribunal with Fathers Bernard Guindon, Rene Dube (“alleged” molester) and layman, lawyer, Church Canon lawyer  Jacques Leduc (“alleged” molester), Gord Bryan (deacon) and Jeanine Lacomb. (CCCD) (See note on Father Guindon in 2002 entry)

 1995:  Pastor, Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church, Glen Walter, Ontario (CCCD)

–   Listed as Chancellor of the diocese (CCCD)

–   Listed as the diocesan contact for the R Cube (CCCD)

–   Listed as member of Tribunal with Fathers Bernard Guindon, Rene Dube (“alleged” molester) and layman, lawyer, Church Canon lawyer  Jacques Leduc ( “alleged” molester), Gord Bryan (deacon), Jeanine Lacombe and Sr. Cecie Rochon (CCCD) (See note on Father Guindon in 2002 entry)

– According to testimony at the Cornwall Public Inquiry Bishop Eugene Larocque appointed Father Vaillancourt to head the drafting committee for “Diocesan Guidelines on Sexual Abuse by Priests, Deacons, Seminarians and Pastoral Assistants” (Legal limbo)

07 November 1995:  news that Bishop Eugene Larocque referred reporters’ questions re the dioceses new ‘streamlined’ sex abuse policy to Father Denis Vaillancourt (Cornwall Standard Freeholder)

1994, 1993, 1992, 1991:   Pastor, Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church, Glen Walter, Ontario (CCCD)

–  Listed as Chancellor of the diocese (CCCD)

–   Listed as the diocesan contact for the R Cube (CCCD)

–   Listed as member of Tribunal with Fathers Bernard Guindon, Rene Dube ( “alleged” molester) and layman, lawyer, Church Canon lawyer  Jacques Leduc (“alleged” molester), Evariste Martin, Gord Bryan (deacon), Jeanine Lacombe and Sr. Cecie Rochon (CCCD) (See note on Father Guindon in 2002 entry)

–   had prepared the Alexandria-Cornwall diocesan guidelines on sexual abuse which were in effect in early 1993 when David Silmser reported that he had been sexually abused by Father Charles MacDonald (CPI testimony)

June 1988:  Pastor, Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church, Glen Walter, Ontario (One Hundred Thousand Welcomes)

–  identified as Chancellor of the Diocese (One Hundred Thousand Welcomes)

1987-88:  Pastor, St. Martin de Tours, Glen Robertson, Ontario (One Hundred Thousand Welcomes)

1987:  in addition to St. Martin de Tours, began to serve St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Dalkeith, Ontario (One Hundred Thousand Welcomes)

1986:  According to Jacques Leduc’s testimony at the Cornwall Public Inquiry, in 1986 Father Vaillancourt and Leduc shared an intriguing notion that if a victim was “predisposed” to homosexuality that predisposition could have a bearing on the victim’s “consent” to the abuse.( I am ashamed)

1982-1985:   Pastor, St. Martin de Tours Roman Catholic Church, Glen Robertson

1985:  According to the book One Hundred Thousand Welcomes,  “In the Fall of 1985, Father Denis Vaillancourt was named chaplain of La Citadelle.  Father Vaillancourt continued his involvement with R Cube by sending groups of young people for  retreats in Ottawa and Valleyfield Quebec.”

(900 young people from the diocese attended R Cube between the years of 1977 and the Spring of 1984 alone. Father Gilles Deslaurier [GUILTY plea 1986) spear-headed the movement, initially with assistance of Fateher Luc Bouchard.  When Father Bouchard headed to Rome to study he was replaced by Father Vaillancourt.   )

?? 1980 – ???  Assisted with youth group known as R Cube (R 3 ).   R Cube was initially run by Father Gilles Deslaurier (convicted paedophile).

According to One Hundred Thousand Welcomes  Father Deslaurier “was helped with this work by Father Luc Bouchard.  With the departure of Father Bouchard for studies in Rome, he was replaced by Father Denis Vaillancourt.” (Luc Bouchard is now Bishop of the Diocese of St. Paul, Alberta)

1980:  Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Cornwall with Fathers Aimee Leduc, M. Lalonde and Edouard Berube. (Berube was one  of the Viatorian priests who originally taught at the Classical College – he stayed on in the diocese after the college closed in 1969.)

Diocesan Marriage Tribunal with Father B. Guindon,  J. Leduc (probably Jacques Leduc),  G. Bryan (deacon), Miss J. Lacombe St. C. Rochon C.S.C.

1979-1981: Father Vaillancourt and lawyer and layman Jacques Leduc studied canon law together at Ottawa’s Saint Paul U.  Frank Morrisey was dean of Canon Law. (Leduc faced charges related to sex abuse allegations from three male complainants.  He eventually eluded justice with a stay.  Several lawsuits have since been settled out of court)

1974:  ORDAINED  for Diocese of Alexandria (now Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall)

1973:  Saint Paul U. (Ottawa, Ontario)

1970: B.A. (Ottawa U)

attended Classical College at same time as Cornwall lawyer and Canon lawyer Jacques Leduc.  (After a circus of a trial Leduc eluded justice with a stay.  Several lawsuits regarding those sex abuse “allegations”  have since been settled out of court.  Note that Vaillancourt also studied canon law with Leduc)

DOB: 31 October 1945 (Glen Robertson, Ontario)

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Retired priest charged

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

Friday, October 30, 2015 8:16:50 EDT PM

By Greg Peerenboom, Cornwall Standard-Freeholder

A retired priest faces a criminal charge involving an incident with an adult male several weeks ago.

Fr. Denis Vaillancourt, 69, served under the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall in a number of capacities, including parish priest of Eglise Sacre-Coeur in Alexandria.

“Any allegation of improper conduct by a priest is an extremely serious matter,” said a diocese media release Friday afternoon.

“The Diocese has co-operated fully with local authorities,” states the release which indicated that Vaillancourt had been arrested by the Ontario Provincial Police.

A separate media release has not been issued by the OPP, so it is unclear as to what the charge or charges pertains.

“It would be inappropriate for diocesan officials to comment on the specifics of this case as it is currently a police matter,” the diocese further stated.

“However, we must be clear in stating that any form of misconduct by personnel of the Catholic Church is unacceptable. The diocese has developed extensive procedures to foster a safe environment for all members of our faith community,” states the release, encouraging readers to view policies at www.alexandria-cornwall.ca.

The diocese, during the 1990s and 2000s, came under heavy fire for the roles it played involving historical sex offences, leading to the Cornwall Public Inquiry.

The leading case that sparked the inquiry and the OPP-held Project Truth probe into sex offences was the incident involving the diocese’s payoff of David Silmser’s sex abuse allegations.

Vaillancourt was the diocese chancellor who handled Silmser’s complaint along with one other priest and the diocese lawyer.

greg.peerenboom@sunmedia.ca

twitter.com/GregPeerenboom

 

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Cornwall diocese tried to brush off abuse allegations, witness tells inquiry

Brockville Recorder

Trevor Pritchard, SUN MEDIA

The Ottawa archdiocese’s delegate on sexual abuse matters said a man who alleged he was sexually abused by a Cornwall priest was brushed off when he tried to bring the matter to the attention of the Alexandria-Cornwall Roman Catholic Diocese.

Msgr. Peter Schonenbach told a public inquiry in Cornwall that he phoned David Silmser on Dec. 9, 1992, after Silmser had left a message with the bishop’s assistant.

Silmser said he’d been sexually assaulted while serving as an altar boy in the 1960s and 1970s by Rev. Charles MacDonald at a church in Cornwall.

In September 1993, he settled for $32,000 in exchange for not pursuing criminal or civil charges against MacDonald.

Schonenbach, 71, told the inquiry that Silmser said he had called Ottawa after contacting the Alexandria-Cornwall diocese, where the priest he talked to reportedly said: “What do you expect me to do?”

“I don’t know if (Silmser’s statement) is true or not true,” Schonenbach told the inquiry on Tuesday.

“But this is what he told me.”

Following Silmser’s phone call, Schonenbach said he contacted Denis Vaillancourt, the chancellor of the Alexandria-Cornwall diocese, and Msgr. Donald McDougald, the priest responsible for handling sex abuse complaints.

Schonenbach said one of the men – he couldn’t remember who – said the accusations were impossible because MacDonald was “such a wonderful priest.”

Schonenbach added he didn’t infer anything negative from the comment.

“Frankly, this is the really horrible thing about (sexual abuse by a priest), you can be a man who’s doing wonderful pastoral work and hiding all of this,” he said.

The next day, Schonenbach met with Silmser, who described the alleged assaults and told the priest he wanted a letter of apology from MacDonald.

Silmser told Schonenbach he wanted to give the letter to his mother so she would understand why he had turned to a life of petty crime.

Schonenbach said he summarized his meeting in a letter to McDougald and Eugene LaRocque, who was bishop of the Cornwall dioceses at the time.

The correspondence was meant to show the diocese “how serious (the allegation) was,” said Schonenbach.

He said McDougald called him in January 1993, asking him to help arrange a meeting between Silmser and his alleged attacker, MacDonald.

Schonenbach said he felt the request was “abusing” his relationship with Silmser.

“I certainly wasn’t going to go down that road,” he said.

It would not be until 1996 that the Ontario Provincial Police charged MacDonald with sexually assaulting minors.

The charges were stayed in 2002 and MacDonald has always maintained his innocence.

The inquiry is exploring how institutions like the church handled allegations of historical sexual abuse.

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Lawyer urged church to fix ‘messy situation’

Cornwall sex abuse inquiry hears that archdiocese was told in ‘forceful’ way to settle alleged victim’s case

Ottawa Citizen

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Geoff Nixon

CORNWALL . A former lawyer for the Archdiocese of Alexandria-Cornwall pressured church officials to settle “a messy situation” first revealed in 1992, the Cornwall public inquiry heard Tuesday.

Jacques Leduc, a Cornwall lawyer who worked for the archdiocese “from time-to-time” between 1978 and 1994, took the stand for the second day at the public inquiry into the institutional response to allegations of systemic historical sexual abuse in the area. It was Mr. Leduc to whom church officials turned for legal advice when a complainant accused a priest of sexually abusing him when he was a child.

In December 1992, a complaint was brought forward against Rev. Charles MacDonald by David Silmser – a former altar boy to whom the church would later pay $32,000 as part of a non-disclosure agreement.

Two months later, on Feb. 9, 1993, Mr. Leduc, Msgr. Donald MacDougald and Chancellor Denis Vaillancourt, both of the archdiocese, met with Mr. Silmser to discuss his allegations.

In a 1994 statement given to OPP, Mr. Leduc said he and his colleagues concluded at the end of the session that Mr. Silmser was either “telling the truth or was one of the best actors possible.”

Or, as he put it Tuesday, Mr. Silmser’s “anguish appeared real” and he became “extremely emotional” when talking with church officials about what had occurred, Mr. Leduc said.

According to his testimony, Mr. Leduc said he simply asked questions of Mr. Silmser that day and when the meeting was over, advised his clients to make a report of what had transpired. Specifically, he told Msgr. MacDougald “very clearly that a report was to be prepared, in writing, and submitted to the bishop.”

Beyond that, he had little to do with the matter until he was contacted regarding the possibility of a settlement, Mr. Leduc said.

He did not follow up to see that his instructions had been followed, he said.

Mr. Leduc did not have any notes he could show the court about the meeting, claiming he never, at any point, kept a file on the matter involving Mr. Silmser.

At the end of August 1993, the lawyer representing the accused priest, Father MacDonald, indicated he could arrange a settlement between the church and the complainant, and Mr. Leduc was in favour of doing so.

But Bishop Eugene Laracque wanted no part of any settlement and wanted criminal proceedings to move forward if warranted – something that frustrated Mr. Leduc.

As Mr. Leduc told police in the same 1994 statement, he felt a settlement “represented a good opportunity to resolve a messy situation, to protect the reputation of the priest, which would be destroyed by any legal proceedings, regardless of his innocence, and to avoid incurring unnecessary costs in defending the civil suit.”

But eventually, Bishop Laracque was swayed, after Mr. Leduc was “very forceful” in convincing him of the benefits of settling.

When asked by commission counsel Karen Jones to clarify what he meant by “forceful,” Mr. Leduc said: “The arguments I put forth were persuasive.”

The church settled for $32,000 in a non-disclosure agreement shown at the inquiry Tuesday.

The inquiry cntinues Wednesday.

With files from Neco Cockburn

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Priest never thought of going to police, CAS

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

03 July 2008

Posted By TREVOR PRITCHARD

A Roman Catholic priest who learned in 1986 two young men had been sexually abused by one of his colleagues didn’t think of telling the police or the Children’s Aid Society, the Cornwall Public Inquiry heard Wednesday.

Rev. Denis Vaillancourt said that Benoit Brisson and Claude Thibault wanted their allegations against Rev. Gilles Deslauriers “resolved quietly within the confines of the church.”

“These individuals were victims,” said Vaillancourt, who testified in French through a translator. “They were victimized by a priest and I did not want to go counter to what they wanted.”

Deslauriers was initially charged with 16 sex-related offences after Brisson went to the media with his allegations. He pleaded guilty in November 1986 to four counts of gross indecency, and received two years’ probation.

Before the allegations surfaced, Deslauriers had been a full-time chaplain at La Citadelle, a French language high school in Cornwall. He and Vaillancourt also ran a spiritual retreat for young people between 18 and 25 at the time.

Vaillancourt testified he was part of an ad hoc committee that the Alexandria-Cornwall Roman Catholic Diocese struck after then-bishop Eugene LaRocque removed Deslauriers from his parish in February 1986.

Dallas Lee, an attorney for The Victims Group, showed Vaillancourt a comment he made to that committee in which he appeared to be “scared” the school board might become legally involved in the case.

Vaillancourt told Lee that, as was the case with the police and the CAS, he didn’t inform the school board because Brisson and Thibault wanted the matter dealt with by the church.

“I have never had any intention of going against the law, obviously, and when the police got involved, you can see by the documents that I cooperated fully,” said Vaillancourt.

Brisson’s mother, Lise, told the inquiry in October 2006 one of the reasons her family went public with the allegations against Deslauriers was a lack of action on the diocese’s part.

Vaillancourt testified last week that the diocese had no strict protocol in 1986 for dealing with sexual abuse allegations against priests.

One of the reasons the ad hoc committee formed was to deal with complaints that Deslauriers had begun serving at a parish in the Gatineau- Hull area, Vaillancourt said.

“This was fresh ground for you, and there’s others involved in this who were concerned, correct?” asked Peter Wardle, an attorney for the Citizens for Community Renewal.

“Yes, that’s so,” said Vaillancourt. Lee asked Vaillancourt if the diocese ever canvassed its employees to see if there were any other “problem priests” after Deslauriers was convicted.

Vaillancourt said while there were annual “assessments” of the clergy’s job performance, he didn’t know if the diocese was ever looking at whether priests were abusing children.

Yesterday’s testimony wrapped up early after Lee announced his intention to put a list of 19 names to Vaillancourt, in order to see if he’d ever received allegations against them.

That led to vigorous objections from diocese lawyer David Sherriff- Scott, who said it would be “grossly prejudicial” and time-consuming to publicly name the names.

Lee argued that the people on his list had already been named in statements or affidavits posted on websites or had come up during previous testimony.

“It is inconceivable to me that any person on this list would come as a surprise to anybody in this room,” Lee said.

Inquiry commissioner Normand Glaude adjourned the hearings before delivering his decision. It’s expected the matter will be cleared up, and that Vaillancourt will finish testifying, when the inquiry resumes this morning.

Article ID# 1097955

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Comments

Oh my aching f*cking head, he didn’t think of going to either the CAS or the cops (not that either would probably do any good, judging from hindsight!), what was he thinking or did that come with training? Seems to me that priests got “covertly” transferred to other diocese when they got caught sexually abusing little boys, ask that priest Law in the States, I think they even made him a Bishop or Cardinal or something when it was learned just exactly what HE knew and or did. So from the sounds of it, this Vaillancourt knew that 2 boys had been sexually abused by this clown and if this clown had abused those two, chances were pretty good that even HE should have known that there may have been more! And as for his statement made above and I quote: “I have never had any intention of going against the law, obviously, and when the police got involved, you can see by the documents that I cooperated fully,” said Vaillancourt.” I’m still shaking my head. So according to him, he never thought of going either to the cops or CAS but when the cops came to HIM, then HE cooperated fully, I guess he didn’t want his butt thrown in the slammer. It’s going to prove interesting to hear about what he has to say about that list of 19 names that Lee will be asking him about. I don’t even think that GOD himself should have mercy on any of those priests and others who either knew or sexually abused any of those kids and I hope the whole lot of them rot in Hell and I’m not even sure if Satan would want them either. Sexual abuse against children in CornHole and it when on for decades that we know of and people in CornHole still bury their collective head in the sand. Congratulations are again in order eh CornHole. I wonder what the “good” citizenry of CornHole are thinking now or are they STILL in DENIAL?

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #1 By booga-booga

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Listening to this Priest shows the coverup by them and the lack of remorse they have for the grief they caused these victims and the fact taht they transfer an abuser to another district show there total disregard for the protection of children. In my play book he is nothing but a lair and shows the church has little reqard for anyone but themselves.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #2 By what justice

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I’ve been out of town for a few days. Glad to be back to the “hacksville” tabloid.
Just “wonderful”, isn’t it? No mandatory reporting/duty to report by the “Church” and no reason to think, “maybe the police or “CAS” must be notified”. So, let’s see, the police didn’t think they had to report, the clergy didn’t think they had to report, probation and parole were jokes, etc., etc., Ha!! Ha!! Ha!!

And I suppose, in his final report, Commissioner Glaude will find “shared responsibility”, incompetence, inadequate knowledge or resources, etc., etc. as the cause and provide funding to the waiting “pack of snots”. That is, after the lawyers have received their “pounds”.

And the ongoing litigations, now partially, publicly disclosed? Well-disgusting, just disgusting; who financed them…WHO? Believe me, there are many, many, many other litigations and/or settlements, to this story. This is exactly why the “mal-practice, liability insurance carrier, lawyers” streamed into the public inquiry and were granted standing and funding; to protect their previous assertions/representations, existing and anticipated “suits”; no other reason, NONE!!!….and in all cases, funded by the public.

Oh, “2 sides”, re: coffee meeting”. Way back (Saturday, June 28, 2008 postings?), I was referencing your post#26 therein, when I reiterated my invitation to you for a coffee meeting in Cornwall. However, I certainly understand some possible reasons for your “muddle-headed” depiction of the facts.

And, oh yes, you “can’t remember” who told you who I am, but, you don’t know who I am, but you feel it necessary, as others have, to suggest where I live or who I am.
“Local Reader” once said something like, “James, as I recall, you left Cornwall for greener pastures…”. In the billions of people on this earth, who have access to the “Standard-Freeholder” site, “Local Reader” and you, narrow down the James’ of the world.

How about getting to know me? “SaintPeter-47”, I’ll meet the group. Name the place in Cornwall and time…mutually agreed upon, of course.

By chance “2sides”, based on the above, was it you who was contracted (over $250,000.) to prepare “Cornwall Police Services” to testify at the “public inquiry”, sounds like it.
Just a note on “rumour and innuendo”. I was re-visiting notes on politics, public opinion, affluent personalities, surrounding, “rumour and innuendo”. I was listening to a tape on the topic.

According to my learnings and experiences, “rumour and innuendo” is the easiest of all perceived “attacks” to dispel. On the contrary and to be brief, hiring a truckload of lawyers, filing litigation after litigation, after litigation and spending MILLIONS, to silence or coerce, complainants or their agents, is in part, perceived negatively by the public and borders on a laymen’s perception of an “admission of guilt”..

DO you want to know how to dispel rumour and innuendo, for good? I know and I am available to conduct a fifteen minute seminar; cost to politicians, lawyers and their surrogates=two million dollars. Cost to laymen and some professionals=no charge.

Finally, again, I have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. I am not burdened with stress, anxiety, fear or sickness, because I know and accept ME, I know the facts and I trust in God’s Will, not mine. FAITH.

As far as the so-called, “Cornwall Public Inquiry” and some contributors to the site are concerned, I offer this; “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” (quotation)

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #3 By JAMES “SPEAK OUT”,

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These people that represent the church make me sick with their excuses. They did nothin g to prevent that priest from molesting again and they did nothing to make sure no other victims were around they quietly swept it under the rug.

That is what a cover up is all about.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #4 By Dodger

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This priest does not have contempt for the court he has contempt for the intelligence of people in this community. He is as bad as the one that did the molesting of the victims because he helped to cover the whole thing up instead of doing the right thing which was to report it to CAS and or the police. Except the police part might be a little sketchy since they bungled the job themselves.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #5 By Dodger

…………………………………….

It a sad day for Cornwall al of 5 folks comment on this article, is it lack of concern or are we just a bunch of stupid people. if one of your children or grandchildren are the victims I bet you will be heard from loud and clear.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #6 By what justice

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I agree it is a sad day for Cornwall. As a native born and bred there, who moved away many years ago – I am following what is happening in my hometown. Seems like nothing has changed in the almost 40 years since I left!! Occassional visit to family – I am saddened about the goings on of the priests in Cornwall and the cover ups- however, this has been going on for years in other places across Canada and the US – even had movies about it – why does it take Cornwall so long to catch up with the rest of the world?

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #7 By majekin

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the citzens no the truth just ask them.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #8 By luckyred,

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Don’t forget the “Precious Reputation” that Cornwall has being trying to protect all of these years and yet those same citizens who bash “outsiders” for reminding them of their part or not in this and the “outsiders” seem to be the closest to the truth! How could ANYONE in the establishment NOT KNOW of this and to blame others or to deny or to intimidate, harrass, threaten and “computer glitch” the public in itself is a miscarriage of justice but of human rights. And I’m talking about the human rights of those who had been abused and they too, I would allege were also intimidated, harrassed, threatened, bribed, paid off, etc., etc., etc.! And I just noticed this just by mere coincidence that I didn’t see or hear from good old 2Faced or Itinerant, what’s up you two or is this even toooooooooooo much for even you to dolts to get? And you even managed to get Armegedon tossed, when he had more knowledge, compassion and sense than most of you all put together!! Congratulations, one person who could be of help and you screw him oooops, I forgot your “Precious Reputation”!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #9 By saintpeter-47

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And to whatjustice, on your Post # 6, You are right on the money!!!! There are more people on this thread commenting on some stupid soccer field or ciggie smuggling or the St Lawrence River or whatever unimportant things that go on in Cornwall which includes this Gem, the “Precious Rep” of the Hole when the only “Precious Rep” you have is for those who bury their heads up their anuses and blame others for what YOU YOURSELVES neglected and still do to this very day. By the way, you DO have a “Precious Rep” but it’s for ALL OF THE WRONG REASONS! What a bunch of no good hypocrites most of you are!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #10 By saintpeter-47,

…………………………………….

the citzens no the truth just ask them.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #8 By luckyred

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Don’t forget the “Precious Reputation” that Cornwall has being trying to protect all of these years and yet those same citizens who bash “outsiders” for reminding them of their part or not in this and the “outsiders” seem to be the closest to the truth! How could ANYONE in the establishment NOT KNOW of this and to blame others or to deny or to intimidate, harrass, threaten and “computer glitch” the public in itself is a miscarriage of justice but of human rights. And I’m talking about the human rights of those who had been abused and they too, I would allege were also intimidated, harrassed, threatened, bribed, paid off, etc., etc., etc.! And I just noticed this just by mere coincidence that I didn’t see or hear from good old 2Faced or Itinerant, what’s up you two or is this even toooooooooooo much for even you to dolts to get? And you even managed to get Armegedon tossed, when he had more knowledge, compassion and sense than most of you all put together!! Congratulations, one person who could be of help and you screw him oooops, I forgot your “Precious Reputation”!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #9 By saintpeter-47

…………………………………….

And to whatjustice, on your Post # 6, You are right on the money!!!! There are more people on this thread commenting on some stupid soccer field or ciggie smuggling or the St Lawrence River or whatever unimportant things that go on in Cornwall which includes this Gem, the “Precious Rep” of the Hole when the only “Precious Rep” you have is for those who bury their heads up their anuses and blame others for what YOU YOURSELVES neglected and still do to this very day. By the way, you DO have a “Precious Rep” but it’s for ALL OF THE WRONG REASONS! What a bunch of no good hypocrites most of you are!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #10 By saintpeter-47,
Priests’ view of new bishop

_____________________________________

Diocese had doubts on claim

Church official felt details were withheld or forgotten

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

28 June 2008

Posted By BY TREVOR PRITCHARD

Church officials left a 1993 meeting with serious doubts about David Silmser’s sexual abuse allegations against a local Roman Catholic priest, the Cornwall Public Inquiry heard Friday.

“We felt that some details were not given possibly because he didn’t want to or that they had slipped his mind or that perhaps many things had been dreamed up,” Rev. Denis Vaillancourt wrote in a September 1993 letter to the Children’s Aid Society.

Vaillancourt, the chancellor for the Alexandria-Cornwall Roman Catholic Diocese, met with Silmser and two other church officials at the diocese’s Cornwall office in January 1993.

Silmser had gone to police a month earlier and accused Rev. Charles MacDonald of sexually abusing him when he was an altar boy at St. Columban’s Church in the 1960s and 1970s.

The meeting -which included church lawyer Jacques Leduc and Msgr. Donald MacDougald -came about after Silmser complained to an Ottawa priest, who forwarded his allegations on to the local diocese, said Vaillancourt.

Testifying in French, Vaillancourt said Friday he was only a “witness” at the meeting, and that it was Leduc who asked most of the questions.

In his letter to the CAS, Vaillancourt wrote that Silmser made four separate allegations against MacDonald, but seemed to be holding back specific details.

The church offered to provide Silmser with psychological help, but all he wanted was MacDonald to write an apology and send it to his mother, Vaillancourt wrote. Silmser also refused a meeting with MacDonald, he added.

Inquiry lawyer Pierre Dumais asked Vaillancourt why he had doubts about Silmser’s story.

“The seriousness of the allegations was such that the accused should be able to describe the incident in some detail,” Vaillancourt said.

“He (Silmser) refused to give us any details.”

The diocese later negotiated a $32,000 settlement with Silmser in exchange for him not pursuing criminal or civil charges against MacDonald.
In June 2000, Vaillancourt gave a statement to investigators with Project Truth, a four-year provincial police probe into allegations an orchestrated pedophile ring was operating in the Cornwall area.

Vaillancourt told the OPP it was his understanding the diocese arranged the payout in order to “save the reputation of Father MacDonald and not cover up.”

Dumais asked Vaillancourt what he meant by that statement.

“(Det. Const. Joe) Dupuis asked me if there had been any meeting to cover things up,” said Vaillancourt. “I said no. And then I explained my own personal version of the events.”

Vaillancourt added he never helped craft the $32,000 settlement. His only other involvement with Silmser, he said, came in 1996, when Silmser called him to talk about MacDonald.

“I promised nothing,” Vaillancourt said. “I suggested nothing.”

The OPP charged MacDonald in 1996 with more than a dozen sex-related charges. They were stayed in 2002 after a judge ruled the former priest’s right to a timely trial had been infringed upon.

Leduc was also charged by the Project Truth investigators in 1998 with offences involving young boys. Like MacDonald, Leduc had his charges stayed in 2004.

Vaillancourt is the first of 10 diocesan witnesses expected to be called at the inquiry, which is probing how institutions reacted when faced with allegations of historical sexual abuse. He was part of the diocese’s presbyterial council in the early 1980s when allegations surfaced against Rev. Gilles Deslauriers.

Vaillancourt said he spoke with Benoit Brisson and Claude Thibault, both of whom have testified at the inquiry about abuse they suffered at Deslauriers’ hands, before meeting with then-bishop Eugene LaRocque in February 1986.

“He was completely distraught,” said Vaillancourt. “He said that we had to act.”

Vaillancourt said they went to meet Deslauriers, and LaRocque suggested Deslauriers enroll in a spiritual therapy course in Quebec.

Deslauriers refused the offer, said Vaillancourt. He pleaded guilty in November 1986 to four counts of gross indecency involving young men aged 17 to 19.

He was sentenced to two years of probation under the care of the Diocese of Gatineau-Hull.

Vaillancourt is scheduled to be cross-examined when the inquiry resumes July 2.

Article ID# 1092970
Comments on this Article.
RE: “Cornwall Standard-Freeholder” article posted online, entitled, “Landry Sr., priest cases in “different ballpark”: Repa”, by “Trevor Pritchard”, dated June 27, 2008 and attached “comments” by “readers, contributors”.

From my perspective regarding this matter, I would suggest no further disclosures by anyone about this matter online. However, I also believe, all contributors have their right to do as they wish.

I urge anyone intending to file a “complaint”, as implied by some contributors, to avoid replying to questions such as the one posed in “post#22” of the June 27, 2008 article,
i.e.: “what were we misled about?”

I urge contributors who intend to file complaints, to review “articles” and “comments” over the past several months, including comments where contributors have expressed fear and written, 1-“they” know who we are, 2-admission by at least one contributor, they knew who other contributors were (this in a world of billions and access to the internet),
3-attempts by some contributors, “the regular ones” to dispel thoughts of “conspiracy” (their words) and rationalize “concern”, with “cyber glitch”, type justifications.

Or, if you have noticed some regular contributors, who no longer contribute; note them, with their last comments.

IF you have already recorded this over the past several months, good, if not, it can be retrieved easily. Also, one way to retrieve information is to contact an “I.T.”, specialist or other professional, at your local college, university or private sector business, for free advice and/or referral.

As has unfolded in many “articles” posted, it is my opinion “post#22”, has nothing to do with commenting on the “story”, but rather, attempts to “interrogate” contributors, control, influence and even, intimidate some contributors.

Subsequent to my initial review, inquiry and consultation regarding this matter and related matters, I have been advised, this issue generated enough concern, that it requires further investigation.

I urge contributors to be careful.

For me, this is simply another “log, thrown onto the pile”. I have nothing to fear and nothing to hide.

Unfortunate, isn’t it, “the lengths people have gone. Desperate people, places and things, will take desperate measures.” Be calm people, but careful.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #1 By JAMES “SPEAK OUT”,
If the church felt that Mr. Silmer was not being truthfull why did they pay him? Who is not being truthfull now and I assume that all these millions they have paid out world wide for charges that have been proven aginst priests are all false as well, check the history books priests have ben offenders for centuries, how can this priest sit there and make such statments.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #2 By what justice,

Anyone figure out WHO is actually doing the “hacking” on this site???- someone from the Freeholder???
– someone from the CPS and/or other police service???
– someone from the Inquiry???
WHO??? Anymore guesses???Reply | Report | Page Top Post #3 By RealityChecker,

___________________________

No Meeting To Cover-Up Child Sex Abuse Allegations: Vaillancourt

Cornwall News AM 1220

June 27, 2008 — At least one Cornwall area priest says there was no meeting to cover up allegations of child sex abuse. Father Denis Vaillancourt has told the Cornwall Pubilc Inquiry that a $32,000 settlement between an alleged victim and the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall was not a cover up. Vaillancourt says the payment was to save the reputation of Father Charles MacDonald whether or not he was guilty. David Silmser accepted the cash from the church in 1993 after he made child sex abuse allegations against Father MacDonald. Part of the agreement meant Silmser could not continue with his criminal complaint. MacDonald faced charges but they were stayed in 2002 after a judge ruled the case took too long to get to trial. Hearings resume Wednesday.

_______________________________

Priests’ view of new bishop

Bouchard combines ‘a great laugh’ with order and discipline

Western Catholic Reporter

Week of November 19, 2001

By RENATO GANDIA

WCR Staff Writer

Glen Walter, Ont.

Four seminarians in a house across from Ottawa’s Dominican College were able to it make to the priesthood without living in a seminary.Two of them have died, one was Father Denis Vaillancourt, chancellor of Alexandria-Cornwall Diocese and pastor of a parish in Glen Walter, Ont., and the other was Bishop Luc Bouchard, now bishop of St. Paul.

The residence at the Dominican College at that time was filled with seminarians of their own order, although diocesan seminarians and lay students were welcomed in the college.

Bouchard studied with the Dominicans while the other three were at St. Paul’s University with the Oblates.

Although they seldom saw each other during the day, as they were busy with school, they spent time together sharing highlights of their days while making supper. They took turns preparing meals.

When it was Bouchard’s turn, “rice, which he seems to favour instead of potatoes, would come up once in a while,” Vaillancourt said.

He was always serious with his studies, said Vaillancourt.

One night Bouchard did not return home from his class. “We were worried about him. Finally he called us from the hospital where he was admitted for some infection.”

Living in a house by themselves without the formation team looking over their shoulders, as opposed to being in a regular seminary, was quite a challenge because it demanded genuine dedication and passion for priestly formation.

Vaillancourt and Bouchard had known each other since the mid-1960s. Both attended Cornwall College. Vaillancourt was a boarder at the college while Bouchard lived with his family.

When the college closed in 1968, Vaillancourt lost track of Bouchard and later on they found themselves living in a house with two other seminarians, doing their theological studies.

Vaillancourt and Bouchard later on would both own cottages by the St. Lawrence River. They are neighbours.

During their summer holidays they would see each other often.

“I know he likes to go and swim. I always took him on my boat for a ride, which he really loves.”

“I know that he likes to receive friends and family to get together for a picnic and barbecue.”

One time, Bouchard had gone to Montreal driving his first car.

“I think he set his mind to keep (the car) as long as it possibly would run,” said Vaillancourt.

He did not make it home. The car gave up on him, so he had to hitch hike.

“Luckily, a car went by and recognized him as Father Bouchard, picked him up and took him home,” Vaillancourt laughed.

Bouchard has always been known to have an infectious laugh. And when a funny situation comes up he can laugh at himself.

If the people he has served as a priest love Bouchard, the priests he has worked with also admire him.

Not only is he a gifted homilist, “he is always concerned about the people, the welfare of his (parishioners),” Vaillancourt said.

Along with members of the community he started the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He called a retired teacher in the parish to urge him to become a permanent deacon.

“That was an asset for the parish and the diocese at large,” said Vaillancourt.

Father Laurier Rivet celebrated Masses with the four seminarians while they were in Ottawa.

“I remember him to be a serious student. He was not a joker or something,” Rivet told the WCR. “I can only say good things about him.”

Bouchard has always been a priest who is loved and respected by the people. He loved parish work and was always available for the people, said Rivet.

“I’ve always admired him for his pastoral zeal and dedication,” said Rivet.

Msgr. Rejean Lebrun said Bouchard “is the epitome of an excellent priest.” He is a scholarly person with strong pastoral sense and a man of prayer.

Bouchard strikes him as a serious man but he also knows that he loves to laugh and is a man of great order and discipline, which Lebrun says are qualities of a good bishop.

“He has a great understanding of what a priest is and should be. And I believe that’s why they appointed him rector of St. Joseph,” said Lebrun.

Lebrun is more than 10 years older than Bouchard but he remembers him to be a sharp and promising teenager.

“One of our priests said, “I have great hopes for Luc,’” said Lebrun. “He was very prophetic.”

Father Gordon Roebuck, a former student of Bouchard, had a chance to collaborate with him in ministry at Holy Trinity Parish in Spruce Grove.

“I think he is a very gentle man, a very loving man and a man who is pastoral in his outlook and in his attitudes,” said Roebuck.

While serving as rector of St. Joseph Seminary, Bouchard helped in Roebuck’s parish.

“I found him to be very faith-filled and he is always happy to share his love of Scriptures and his love of pastoral ministry.”

As a professor, Roebuck considers Bouchard to be “very thorough, . . . both enthusiastic and animated with his lectures.”

“He filled me with a new appreciation of our Scripture,” Roebuck added.

31 Responses to Vaillancourt: Father Denis Vaillancourt

  1. Sylvia says:

    The start time for Father Denis Vaillancourt’s Wednesday 18 November 2015 courtdate in Alexandria, Ontario is 9 am. The courthouse address is: 110 Main St. North

    Please keep the complainant in your prayers.

  2. Sylvia says:

    Father Denis Vaillancourt’s next court date is:

    09 December 2015: 9 am, first appearance court, Alexandria, Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North)

  3. Sylvia says:

    The next court date for Father Denis Vaillancourt is:

    06 January 2015: 9 am, “to be spoken to,” Alexandria, Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North)

    Please keep the complainant in your prayers

  4. Sylvia says:

    The next court date for Father Denis Vaillancourt is:

    09 March 2016: 09:00 am, “to set a date,” Alexandria, Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North)

    I am sorry, but I have no idea of what this date is being set for. If anyone knows, please post a comment or let me know.

    Please, as always, keep the complainant and his family in your prayers.

  5. Sylvia says:

    The next court-date for Father Denis Vaillancourt is:

    11 May 2016: 09:00 am, “to set a date,” Alexandria, Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North

    As before, I have no idea what date the “to set date” is for. These court-dates tend to come and go – without someone in the courtroom to find out what happened there is no way to know. Often it is a case of one side or the other asking for more time for something or other.

    Please keep the complainant and his family in your prayers.

  6. Sylvia says:

    The next court date for Father Denis Vaillancourt is:

    08 June 2016: 09:00 am, “to be spoken to,” Alexandria, Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North)

    For some reason yesterday’s court date was conducted at the courthouse in Cornwall. I have no idea why. It was originally set for Alexandria. Anyway, the next court-date (8 June) is definitely scheduled to back in Alexandria.

    Please keep the complainant in your prayers.

  7. F.M says:

    Any result of the court date 8 of the June for r. D. V. as marked on the daily court list.

    next date will be :

  8. Sylvia says:

    I am waiting for a call back from the courthouse F.M. As soon as I have the date I will post it here.

  9. Sylvia says:

    Here it is F.M. 🙂

    The next court date for Father Denis Vaillancourt is:

    06 July 2016: 09:00 am, “to be spoken to,” Alexandria, Ontario courthouse (110 Main St. North)

    Please keep the complainant in your prayers.

  10. F.M says:

    Thank you Sylvia

    Here again in July, yes like you said i will keep him in my prayers.

    I like your ( yellow smile )
    F.M.

  11. Sylvia says:

    I am awaiting a call back with Father Vaillancourt’s next court date. It is too late now so will probably get the news tomorrow morning. As son as I have the date I will post it.

  12. Sylvia says:

    Three days have been set aside next year for the trial of Father Denis Vaillancourt:

    13-15 June 2017: 10 am, TRIAL Cornwall Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.)

    Note that the trial is next year (2017), and that it will be held in CORNWALL at the Cornwall courthouse.

    Please keep the complainant in your prayers.

    • F.M says:

      Sylvia,

      I am not surprise, for next year 2017, this family they do have very good
      connection with lawers, you must know about this, that helps.

      Next year 2017, maybe he wont remember anything. ,

      what is the situation about celebring a mass

      for sure he is in my prayers

  13. Sylvia says:

    I hope and pray F.M. – and assume! – that Father Denis Vaillancourt’s faculties to say Mass and hear confessions have been suspended until this is over. That is usually and should be the case, from the time charges are laid until there is resolution. If you or anyone else has seen or heard of Father Vaillancourt ‘saying’ Mass and/or hearing confessions please let me know.

  14. PP says:

    Please be informed the court date for Vaillancourt has been moved up to sept 11. 2017 9am

  15. Sylvia says:

    Thanks again pp. Here are the details….

    The next court date for Father Vaillancourt is:

    11 September 2017: 09:00 am, VERDICT/ “for judgment”, Cornwall Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.).

    Please keep the complainant and his family in your prayers

  16. pp says:

    Perv. Denis Vaillancourt was found guilty this morning Sept11/17
    The judge didn’t buy any of his story, excuses. She saw right through his deviant mind.

  17. Sylvia says:

    Court is still in session as of 2:29 pm. It is extremely doubtful – impossible really – that rendering of the verdict extended into the afternoon.

    Later this afternoon I will hopefully be able to find out what the verdict is, and, if this afternoon was perchance for sentencing, the sentence.

  18. Jean Shago-Menard says:

    Hi I was waiting outside the courtroom this morning and Denis Vaillancourt was found guilty. His sentencing is in November. The family was nearly all there. A huge relief for them Eight of us had to wait outside.

    • Sylvia says:

      Thank you Jean! How unfortunate that not all were able to get in, but how wonderful that that whole wonderful family was there.

    • F.M says:

      Tonigh i feel reading those comments aboute Denis V. wich was my brother in low.
      a an uncle for my grand childrens . I am very mad and sick in my heart to have this person in my family life.
      I thank very much since one year Sylvia help me out with this situation
      Sylvia do you know at present time his address were he leaves,
      Thanks Sylvia take care
      Francine

  19. BC says:

    And so the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall has issued it`s carefully scripted and vapid statement regarding Father Vaillancourt`s conviction along with the usual clerical mush according to which it`s committed to safe environments. see here: http://eng.alexandria-cornwall.ca/news/statement-from-the-diocese-of-alexandria-cornwall-re-fr-denis-vaillancourt-1 And as a measure of just how not seriously the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall actually feels about clerical abuse the HTML links to it`s policies on clerical abuse posted by it`s current chancellor don`t work. This is only stuff they hurriedly copied and pasted together to make themselves appear to be good corporate citizens.

    It`s guidelines for dealing with complaints which were revised in March 2015 didn`t protect the victim in this case and they had no deterrent effect whatsoever on Father Vaillancourt. Despite all of the media exposure that had been focused on the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall, there is still no culture of prevention of clerical abuse there. What is it gonna take? How many more children and/or vulnerable persons need to be victimized for it to take the initiative and oust the predators from it`s rank and file??

    The faithful of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall need to beware: the bleedership of this Diocese isn`t protecting children, vulnerable persons and adults from clerical abuse. The Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall is waiting for litigation to come to it. It is not a proactive institution. It`s position on clerical abuse is: shit happens, and when it happens; we’ll issue a press statement, and let our litigators handle it.

    Every case of clerical abuse which involved Father Denis Vaillancourt in any manner now needs to be re-opened. If there are other victims of Father Vaillancourt they need to be supported in coming forward to law enforcement.

  20. Mike Fitzgerald says:

    Right on! Amen. Mike.

  21. Sylvia says:

    It sounds as though the court date did not proceed today. A new date has not been set as yet. I will get it sorted out on Monday.

    Keep the victim and his family in your prayers.

  22. Sylvia says:

    The next court date for Father Denis Vaillancourt is:

    15 December 2017: 10 am, sentencing, courtroom #7, Cornwall Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W..

    Please keep the victim and his family in your prayers.

  23. wjb says:

    We were told that the time has been changed to 9am.

  24. Sylvia says:

    Thank you wjb. I have made note of the time change.

    Please note everyone. Start time for sentencing of Father Denis Vaillancourt in Cornwall tomorrow is 9 am.

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