Ledroit Beckett Litigation Lawyers, as the legal representatives of a significant number of those victims, issues this Press Release in response.

December 20, 2006

Today, Wednesday December 20, 2006 the Roman Catholic Diocese of London issued a "Progress Report" with respect to the matters surrounding the sexual abuse inflicted by their priest Father Charles Sylvestre on over 50 female victims during a three decade period. This report can be found at http://www.rcec.london.on.ca/Abuse/20061220_Progress_Report.htm

The Diocese Press Release stated that in 1962 the Diocese had received three statements from the police regarding sexual misconduct by Sylvestre on young girls. In 2003, in another clergy abuse case, the Diocese maintained the position that the earliest incident of sexual abuse by their clergy of which they were aware was the 1974 criminal prosecution of Father Barry Glendinning.

The revelation of these documents conflicts with this position.

However, of greater concern is that for more then two decades following 1962 Sylvestre was allowed by the Diocese to continue his abuse. There will be evidence that other complaints over the years were made of Sylvestre's conduct without any appropriate action having been taken by the Diocese.

Canon and civil law procedures were not followed by the Diocese. This failure has lead to the devastation and destruction of many people's lives.

We of course will be anxious to know why these documents were found at this particular time after the passage of 44 years, during which time these documents were apparently in the hands of the Diocese.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Robert Talach at (519) 673-4994, ext. 31 (w) or (519) 639-2807 (cell).