Leslie S. Horwath
Priest, Diocese of London, Ontario. Ordained 28 May 1960. Lawsuit launched January 2011 alleging sex abuse of Jesse Norman Imeson around 1997. Jesse alleges that when he was about 11-years of age he disclosed the abuse he had enured by “Tony” at Maryvale Adolescent and Family Services to Father Horwath. According to the Statement of Claim, Jesse was then sexually abused by Father Horwath for a period of about eight months.
Father Horwath died 07 April 2014 at age 81.
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26 January 2011: Statement of Claim ( Ontario Court of Justice between Jesse Norman Imeson and Maryvale (also known as Maryvale Adolescent and Family Services), Tony “Doe.” The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation for the Archdiocese of London and Father Horwath)
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Obituary
HORWATH, Rev. Fr. Leslie
With four angels at his bed, and four angels around his head, one to watch and one to pray, and two to rear his soul away, Rev. Fr. Leslie Horwath died peacefully on April 7, 2014 at the age of 81 surrounded by his loved ones. Born on March 19, 1933 in Windsor, Ontario, his favourite past-times included polishing his new cars and walking. He was ordained on May 28, 1960 in London, Ontario and was the Chaplain of Knights of Columbus – Our Lady of Mount Carmel Council #13405, Chaplain of St. Vincent de Paul, and past Chaplain of the Ontario Society for Crippled Children in Windsor, Ontario. He was also the past Pastor of Tillsonburg, Stratford, Petrolia, Port Lambton, Windsor and Harrow. He is survived by sister-in-law … and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Olga and Leslie Horwath,… Visitation will take place on Thursday, April 10, 2014 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday, April 11, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (4401 Mount Royal Drive, Windsor). Prayers Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, April 12, 2014 family and friends are invited to meet after 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church for the Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Heavenly Rest Cemetery. Funeral arrangements entrusted to
FAMILIES FIRST
3260 Dougall Avenue, South Windsor
519-969-5841. –
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Member of Knights of Columbus – Our Lady of Mount Carmel Council #13405 and Trustee 2011-2012 (Father Horwath Knights of Columbus Nov 2011 )
07 April 2014: Died
2012, 2011: address on 13 Street in Windsor, Ontario (CCCD)
2000, 1998, 1995, 1994, 1992: Pastor, Saint Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Harrow, Ontario (CCCD)
1990: Pastor, Saint Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Harrow, Ontario (M)
1980-87: Pastor St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, Petrolia, Ontario ( Father Horwath at St Philips in Petrolia)
1985: Pastor, St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, Petrolia, Ontario (CCCD)
1980: Pastor, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Port Lambton, Ontario with mission in Sombra (OCD80)
1973-74: Pastor, Sacred Heart, Port Lambton, Ontario (CCCD)
1971: address for St. Rose of Lima, Windsor (Pastor Father P.V. Drouillard (CCCD)
1968-69: assisting at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Stratford, Ontario (Pastor Father J.L. O’Rourke) (CCCD)
1967: St. Mary, Tilsonburg, Ontario (CCCD)
19 March 1933: Born
These allegations are HIGHLY unlikely. Jesse was “employed” by a foster parent in the Harrow area for a few months. He attended St. Anthony School for these few months. For whatever reason, he was unable to involve himself in lessons and assignments. I do not believe he had ANY contact with Father Horwath AT ALL. Jesse is now in prison for life after committing several murders across Ontario. Perhaps he feels these charges might earn him some sympathy or special treatment. It is terribly unfortunate that this has happened to Father, a good man of impeccable integrity. Not the slightest whisper of anything improper has been said of him. Just these allegations of an individual with no conscience. I’d believe it about almost any priest but NOT HIM.
Father Horwath passed away on April 7 2014
Rest in Peace, dear friend.
He has been accused of this before, no?
NO!
I was 12-13 years old when Father Horwath was our parish priest in Port Lambton, Ontario. I have fond memories of Father Horwath. I remember when he use to come to the class to speak to us. He always brought a magic trick to show us. Once he brought a splinter of the true cross. Of course it wasn’t, but I sometimes smile and wonder if he believed it was. I remember we invited him over for supper. I have some memories of mass. He broke the bad news to me when my father died.
I was even in a perfect situation to be a victim. I remember being sent from school to the rectory. I was by myself. He showed me his model car collection. He spoke of how good it was to help those in need. In retrospect, I think this was an attempt to lead me in the direction toward priesthood. I believe this because a few short years later I was taken to Windsor Ontario by another priest for a meeting with seminarians.
I don’t believe he is guilty of any form of abuse. I’m not going to say anything about the accuser. It really doesn’t matter what I think. We have judges and trials to decide these things.
In my opinion, I believe he is an innocent man. Let him rest in peace.
I think the maintainer of this web site needs to be more responsible. Father Horwath’s name was connected to St. Rose of Lima in Sooke BC. There was a priest, Philip Jacobs in this community found guilty of abuse. The only connection is the coincidence that Father Horwath was at St. Rose of Lima Church in Windsor Ontario.
How should the maintainer of this website be more responsible? You and Mary Truesch are being provided an opportunity to provide your insight and assessment of Father Horwath. This assessment may be read by many and they may/may not respond. It is an example of open and free dialogue.
Think about it: You are being provided with a cost-free opportunity to voice your opinion about Father Horwith? Why are you being insulting?
Actually, I feel you owe the website manager an apology. Not holding my breath!
northern fancy; I wish I could articulate things as well as you! I read the posts and sat on the fence wondering how to respond…you did it well my friend. And I agree with you that they won’t respond.
Good call, only children hold there breath when they don’t get their way.
People use these sites as gossip pacifiers not taking into consideration the damage they do. Studies show negative gossip sticks. If the allegation has merit, it will show in time. It’s the trend I have seen. But when it doesn’t, you need to take these names off your list. It’s the responsible thing to do.
I can’t find the results of the trial anywhere. Why? Did you (Sylvia) just loose interest? How long has it been since the allegations? Where are the results?
Vaughn one of the reasons the names are left on the list is, if someone else has been abused by the same priest and the priest got off. I seen it happen with my own eyes. The priest lied on the stand, the Judge believed the victim as creditable but the Crown dropped the ball. The priest was as guilty as sin but got off. There are a few here that have come forward after finding out that their abuser has already been charged before. there must be a record kept. If you have the time go through the accused list and read. Sylvia on reports on facts, if not this site would have been brought to its’ knees years ago.
I have given this a lot of extra thought. Based on my knowledge regarding the facts of this case, I have created a scenario where these accusations are plausible. But I have also created a scenario where an investigation could have been done discreetly. It probably would have been more thorough as well. It’s a tough job and I’m glad I don’t have to do it.
Fr. Horwath was just “Uncle Leslie” to me. He was my mother’s oldest brother, and a part of my life until the day he died. It is disgusting that one lowlife, little piece of dirt (not the word I want to use) would smear his name, especially in death. There is absolutely NO BASIS for these accusations! My uncle was a devoted priest, who took his calling seriously. He knew, when he was 6 years old, that he would be a priest. He was a gentle man, who loved his family, and his congregation. Shame on anyone who believes such rubbish as the ONE accusation made by an incredibly UNRELIABLE source. Fr. Horwath’s name cannot be cleared soon enough!
Keep in mind this young man was once an 11 year old boy. At no time was he “a piece of dirt” any more than your uncle was.
Really!!??? This “little boy” is a in prison for murdering 3 people, that makes him more a piece of dirt than an innocent man!
BTW Sylvia needs to update her page….Fr Les was totally exonerated…because the accusation was totally baseless.
EXACTLY!!!
If you were an employee working with Jesse, or at his school, you should not be commenting publicly- there is still something called confidentiality. And as a person who knows, I can say he did not stay in harrow for a couple of months at anytime. Please get your facts straight. You’re the reason people hate religion.
I took no such pledge of confidentiality. You are not stating “facts” at all. I definitely do not care how anyone feels about religion and I owe no apologies to anyone. I am merely recounting what I witnessed and defending a good man from false accusations.
i was a custodian at the church to father Horwath . I would stake my life on him being innocent!
Thank you John.