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| Counselling Available to Students
By Danielle VandenBrink
The Whig-Standard
February 23, 2012
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3480137
School officials are offering counselling to students at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School following news of sexual abuse allegations against their former priest.
Father Rene Paul Labelle, 62, of Seeleys Bay was charged with sexual assault, sexual exploitation and invitation to sexual exploitation Monday.
Provincial police say the allegations were brought forward by a man who was a teenager at the time of the incident, alleged to have happened in the summer of 2004.
Jody DiRocco, director of education for the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, said school officials learned of the charges Wednesday but have not heard any details.
“The charges against Father Labelle are extremely troubling and disturbing and the news has deeply impacted the Catholic school community,” DiRocco said Wednesday.
He said additional counselling services are now being offered at Holy Cross, where Labelle worked as a priest chaplain for three days a week.
In his position, he provided priestly ministry to the school community, including leading confession, spiritual counselling and daily mass at the school chapel.
Last month, Labelle voluntarily stepped down from his position at St. Barnaby Catholic Church parish because of alleged involvement "inappropriate activity.”
At that time, he was also removed from his duties at the high school.
“Father Labelle was an important part of the school community and provided spiritual support to our staff and students,” DiRocco said.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston also released a statement Wednesday.
“Effective immediately, Father Labelle does not have faculties to exercise priestly ministry,” the statement read. “Co-operation has been provided to the police and as this matter is now before the court, the Archdiocese cannot make further comment on the case.
“The Archbishop and the Archdiocese deeply regret this situation and request prayers for all concerned.”
Labelle was ordained by the Archdiocese of Kingston in 1977, and has since been a fixture in the community’s Roman Catholic community.
He was released from police custody on a promise to appear Tuesday, and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice in Kingston on March 27.
OPP say they are continuing to investigate the incident, and are asking anyone with information to contact the Leeds County OPP Crime Unit at 613-345-1790 or 1-888-310-1122.
Contact: dvandenbrink@thewhig.com
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