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	Priest Fathered Her Child, Woman Alleges By Dave Battagello and Trevor Wilhelm Windsor Star April 21, 2011 http://www.windsorstar.com/life/Priest+fathered+child+woman+alleges/4652567/story.html A Windsor-area woman is alleging she had a child by a former local priest who sexually abused her when she was a teenager. She is among three more alleged victims -the others are from McGregor and Wallaceburg -who have come forward to join six women already suing Gabriele Del Bianco, 54. Del Bianco served at several area parishes between 1985 and 1994. The local woman's child is now 19 years of age and Del Bianco has admitted he is the father, said London lawyer Rod Dale, who is representing many of the women. Dale said Del Bianco indicated in court that he is the father and "paid a small amount of money." The lawyer said the woman first met Del Bianco at age 14 through St. John Vianney church in Windsor. "It's basically the same story as the others," Dale said. "(Del Bianco) ingratiated himself to the parents, started giving her gifts and making her feel she was the most special in the world. It progressed from there." Also Wednesday, a London law firm said it has been retained by an alleged victim from McGregor. Lawyer Aaron Lealess, of Ledroit Becket, said the alleged abuse occurred at St. Clement church in McGregor in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The girl was abused for several years, Lealess said. Del Bianco would pretend to be a CIA agent who made his victims feel special by telling them secret details about his missions, he said. "He told people he was in the CIA," said Lealess. "He said he was a CIA operative and tried to make people feel important and special by telling them a little bit about these CIA missions. He'd give out little cards and letters and gifts every once in awhile and take people on trips." Del Bianco also preyed on his young victims when they confided in him about problems they were having, Lealess said. "He would counsel, listen intently and focus a lot of attention, give time and just make his victims feel special," he said. The majority of victims who have filed legal actions are from Wallaceburg, where Del Bianco was associate pastor at Our Lady Help of Christians. Another victim, who was not among the nine, settled a week ago. Details of that settlement are not being released. Lambton County OPP have filed three charges of sexual assault against the former priest based on a complaint from one of the women -the only one to launch a criminal complaint. "It's an issue of publicity," said Dale of the lack of criminal complainants. "In the criminal courts, it's very public and Wallaceburg is a small town. There is a bit of anonymity in a large city, but these women have family and a lot of friends and there is guilt and shame on what they may think. "I would not be surprised if more get the courage to stand up and be counted. That will be an individual choice of each woman and we will have to respect their choices." A police investigation was launched in February and Del Bianco was arrested on April 8 when he turned himself in to OPP at the Petrolia detachment, Const. John Reurink of Lambton OPP said Wednesday. Del Bianco is to appear in Sarnia general division court on May 16 to respond to the charges. Del Bianco served in Windsor as associate pastor at St. John Vianney and part-time chaplain at Brennan high school from 1985 to 1987, according to the London diocese. He was administrator at St. Rose of Lima in 1987 and 1988, then became associate pastor at St. Gregory in St. Clair Beach and part-time chaplain at St. Anne's high school from 1988 to 1990. He was pastor at the former Sacred Heart church in Windsor from 1990 until 1994. Del Bianco was removed from the parish after the diocese learned of his behaviour. He left the priesthood in 1996. During his time in the Windsor area, he also launched a home for teenage mothers. Del Bianco moved north and was a counsellor in Bruce County -eventually serving as president of Innerfit, a wellness company in Auburn, Ont. His lawyer said last week he stopped working as his legal troubles mounted in the past year, but others in the area have told The Star in emails this week they believe the former priest is still working. Toronto lawyer John Banfill said last week his client admits there were "boundary transgressions" and the former priest regrets his actions. The diocese released a statement last Friday apologizing for "all of the hurt these and other victims have experienced." dbattagello@windsorstar.com twilhelm@windsorstar.com
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