The North Bay Nuggett
21 June 2012
By Nugget Staff
A Roman Catholic priest working here in the late 1960s was arrested in Montreal Wednesday on a North Bay warrant for gross indecency.
The charge is the result of a North Bay police investigation into a complaint of historical child sexual abuse in the late 1960s.
John Edward Sullivan, 87, was an ordained priest working in North Bay at the time of the alleged offence.
Sullivan was held for a bail hearing.
Kudos to the individual who stepped forward! He is in good company with the rest of us who came forward in 1989 and had him prosecuted. I’m at a loss for more words as the shock of this news hits home. It’s like ripping the sutures off a wound, but the more that can come forward and nail this absolute pervert, the better. I hope the “system” is harsher on him this time than during our trial. The prison sentence he got set me back for a long time.
For those who don’t know, Sullivan was sentenced to two years and six months after pleading guilty to 32 offences involving either nine or 13 altar boys.
That was back in 1989, a reminder that our judiciary has been soft of these predators for a long long time
PJ, can you correct the number of victims for me please? I have one source which indicates 9, and another which indicates 13.
Also, a question for you. If I go too far in the asking please just ignore – I am trying to understand, but sometimes perhaps open old wounds and would be better keeping my questions to myself. You say that reading of the new charges is “like ripping the sutures off a wound.” Is that because it is like reliving the experience yourself? or is it because you see that others suffered as you all did? Can you help us to understand the impact reading about this charge is having on you? (please just ignore if you prefer not to answer)
Sylvia:
To the best of my knowledge and reading from one of 3 newspaper clippings I have kept from 89/90, the article dated 30 Aug 90 states 32 charges involving 9 boys between 1958 and 1979. The 4 cities where he had charges from were Wawa, Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury, and Midland.
To answer your other questions, reading this new charge article took me back to when I read the first article on him in 1989. The anxiety and awful memories kicked me quick and hard. After reading it a few times, I then realized it was a new charge from someone who was brave enough to step forward. I feel a lot of admiration for this person! I did not sleep well last night and the painful memories of what happened to me keep crashing in my head like a pounding surf. I feel a lot of anger against that pitiful human being and just when I thought things were starting to settle down, it rears it’s ugly head to barrage me once again. As each day passes, I try to channel my bad memories into positive thoughts but it’s a lifelong battle. Little things that people say or do that in most contexts are innocent, can hit me between the eyes with the force of a bullet. I remain a good and positive person for the most part, but from time to time I am pulled under by things that trigger those memories, to be abused and assaulted by him all over again.
It’s not a pretty picture. But your website and the support of the you and the majority of your bloggers has helped me to see I am not alone. I sometimes write comments that are harsh, but that’s usually when something has caused me to trigger. Sympathy is the last thing a victim wants…rather, support and acknowledgement that others have walked my walk, are the most helpful things to give and receive. I have become a fierce opponent of that church and it’s clergy that hide or support the predators. Funny to say this, considering I was heavily involved in the church parish councils, catechism, and even allowed our children to be altar servers…what a fool I was. Well, I won’t get fooled again!
Finally, I will be an open book to any who need support or want to find out more info…to a point… I and 2 others are currently litigating as a result of that church’s refusal to do what is right. It’s a much longer process than the basterash proposal, which is a joke. And oh yeah, we were not approached by an “ambulance chaser”…we solicited Mr Talach’s services on our own volition. Hope this answers your questions…sorry about foaming at the mouth.
Thank you so much for sharing PJ. You help us all to understand. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and with all of those who were molested by this priest.
*Question…concerning father John E. Sullivan
Is there some reports or articles in french (Tv , Newspapers , etc…)
Thank you
I haven’t seen any articles in French Jean-Pierre, but that does not mean they aren’t out there. Has anyone seen any coverage of the charges against Father John E Sullivan in the French media? If you have, would you please post a link or email it to me?