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	Updated: Former Catholic Priest Facing Sex Charges Turned Himself in to Lambton Opp Sarnia Observer April 20, 2011 http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3088205 Another former area Catholic priest is facing sexual assault charges. Lambton OPP's Crime Unit has arrested and charged a 54-year-old Auburn, Ont. man with three counts of sexual assault dating back more than 25 years when the accused was a member of the clergy in the Catholic Church. Police began an investigation in February of 2011 into allegations of sexual assault on a woman committed when she was a teenager in the early 1980s. On April 8 police arrested Gabriele DelBianco when he turned himself at the Petrolia OPP Detachment, police said Wednesday. The Diocese of London has received claims from six women regarding sexual misconduct that allegedly occurred when they were minors with former priest Gabriele DelBianco. DelBianco, ordained in 1982, left the priesthood in 1996. The Diocese of London said that it is aware DelBianco has been charged with three counts of sexual assault by Lambton County OPP for incidents that occurred between 1983 and 1986. The London Diocese says that DelBianco was associate pastor at Our Lady Help of Christians in Wallaceburg (1981-1984); studied in Rome (1984-1985); served as associate pastor at St. John Vianney in Windsor, was part-time chaplain at Brennan High School, Windsor (1985-1987); administrator at St. Rose of Lima, Windsor (1987-1988); associate pastor at St. Gregory, St. Clare Beach and part-time chaplain at St. Anne's High School, Tecumseh (1988-1990); and pastor at Sacred Heart, Windsor (1990-1994). In a statement on its website, the Diocese of London said, "We are sorry for all of the hurt these and other (alleged) victims have experienced. We are committed to living up to our responsibilities and obligations to victims of sexual misconduct in the search for justice and truth. The victims who have come forward are making a difference and we thank them for doing so. We offer counseling to all victims of sexual misconduct by clergy. We continue to work toward prevention of misconduct in the Diocese of London." The diocese received information regarding alleged improper conduct by DelBianco in 1994. Consistent with Diocesan policy at the time, he was sent for evaluation at a residential facility and pastoral outreach was extended to the victim. DelBianco did not return to active ministry and decided to leave the priesthood in 1996. The Diocese of London has had a sexual abuse policy since 1989; the current policy, A Safe Environment Policy for the Diocese of London, is online at www.dol.ca. Delbianco will appear in Sarnia court on May 16 to answer to the charges.
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