Ottawa Citizen [Canada]
January 23, 2007
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=2e753ebc-1dd7-44dd-9c79-a84d4b188219&k=48330
Windsor, Ont. — Pedophile priest Charles Sylvestre died Monday night, after serving just a few months in prison for sexually abusing 47 girls over a period of 30 years in five parishes across southwestern Ontario.
"I knew he was in hospital," Chatham-Kent, Ont., Crown attorney Paul Bailey said Tuesday. "I was told his sister was able to visit him (Monday)."
Bailey said he didn't have any information about the cause of death, but Sylvestre, 84, had been suffering from a range of illnesses.
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| Charles Sylvestre Photo by CNS File |
Sylvestre was sentenced in October to three years in prison after pleading guilty to nearly four decades of sexual abuse against 47 young girls between the ages of eight and 15.
Bailey has said that several more complainants came forward who weren't included in the criminal proceedings.
The Catholic Diocese of London is facing 41 lawsuits from Sylvestre's victims, who were abused between 1954 to 1986.
In a statement posted on the Diocese of London's website, director of communications Ron Pickersgill said funeral arrangements for a private ceremony have not yet been finalized.
"We continue to feel grief and shock at the revelations of his actions, and we say again that we deplore all instances of sexual abuse and sexual impropriety, especially by clergy or anyone in the church's employ, towards minors," said Pickersgill in a statement.
"On this occasion, Bishop (Ronald) Fabbro has directed all parishes to offer special prayers for all victims of abuse by Father Sylvestre, for their families, and for those who support them. And we ask for prayers for the family of Father Sylvestre and for the repose of his soul."
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