ST. CATHARINES (ONTARIO, CANADA)
The St. Catharines Standard
October 24, 2017
By Grant LaFleche
[Note: To read The Standard’s investigative series The Wolf in Priest’s Clothing about William O’Sullivan’s story and Donald Grecco go to www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2017/09/10/the-wolf-in-priests-clothing-complete-series]
There was no forgiveness in William O’Sullivan’s heart Tuesday for the priest who sexually abused him as a child. But there was empathy as he watched Donald Grecco be led away from a St. Catharines courtroom to serve the next 18 months of his life in prison.
“I know where he is going. I know what it is like, so I have some empathy. I’m human,” said O’Sullivan, who has served time in prison. “But when they led him away and got the handcuffs out, that was good to see.”
Justice Joseph Nadel sentenced Grecco to 18 months in prison, with three years of parole after his time is served, for three counts of gross indecency for the sexual abuse of three boys from 1975 to 1982.
Nadel also ordered Grecco’s DNA be recorded for the national sex offender registry and banned him for life from attending public places where those under 16 are likely to be, including public parks, school grounds and community centres.
Grecco is also forbidden from contacting people under 16 in any fashion whatsoever and after his release will have to stay half a kilometre away from his victims.
Grecco, who came to court wearing a winter jacket and a black toque, did not speak during the hearing and looked at the ground as he was being led away by court officers.
Grecco pleaded guilty to the charges in May. This is his second conviction for sexually abusing children while he was a Catholic priest. In 2010, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for abusing three boys.
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