Two Windsor priests dismissed after abuse investigations

Two priests in Windsor, Ont., have been removed from their duties after separate investigations into allegations of sexual abuse.

In a letter to parishioners in the Diocese of London just before Christmas, Bishop Ronald Fabbro announced the dismissals of Maurice Charbonneau and Andrew Dwyer. 

Charbonneau, ordained in 1994, had worked in several parishes in the Windsor area, most recently St. John the Evangelist and St. Mary. Allegations of abuse were brought against him in October 2017. Dwyer, ordained in 1979, had been pastor at St. Vincent de Paul and St. Theresa parishes before allegations of “sexually abusive behaviour” were made public in September 2018.

“Both priests were immediately relieved of their respective pastoral duties and had their faculties withdrawn,” Fabbro said in his statement. 

“After separate investigations and consultations with various groups, including our diocesan Safe Environment Advisory Committee, I determined that Maurice Charbonneau and Andrew Dwyer would not be able to return to ministry at any time. Their faculties have been permanently removed.”

Windsor Police would not say if either man has been charged criminally. 

Fabbro said  Charbonneau and Dwyer cannot “present themselves as clerics or, in any way, represent the Diocese of London.”

Fabbro also noted that the diocese has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual abuse. “We continue to work to rule out all forms of sexual abuse, and to support any victims.”