January 12, 2005

Ex-priest gets jail time for molesting teens

Two Uxbridge boys abused in 1970s 

WORCESTER— A former priest was sentenced to jail yesterday after pleading guilty last month to charges of rape, assault and battery, furnishing alcohol to a minor and committing an unnatural and lascivious act.

James D. Campbell, 59, a former Catholic priest in West Warwick, R.I., was sentenced to 90 days in the House of Correction with 10 years of probation to follow after admitting Dec. 22 in Worcester Superior Court that he molested two male teenagers in the 1970s in Uxbridge. Mr. Campbell was assigned to St. Joseph Parish in West Warwick at the time of the assaults, which occurred from 1975 to 1978.

The sentence imposed yesterday by Judge Peter W. Agnes Jr. was recommended by Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey T. Travers and Mr. Campbell’s lawyer, James McCormick.

As conditions of probation, Mr. Campbell was ordered to register as a sex offender, provide a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities and undergo drug, alcohol, sex offender and psychological evaluations and any related treatment recommended by the Probation Department. Mr. Campbell was further ordered to have no contact with the victims and no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16.

Mr. Campbell, last known to be living with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty last month to single counts of rape and committing an unnatural and lascivious act, and two counts each of assault and battery and furnishing alcohol to a minor. Judge Agnes postponed sentencing until yesterday.

Prosecutors said Mr. Campbell molested the victims after taking them to a restaurant and plying them with alcohol.

Judge Agnes made reference yesterday to what he described as the “extraordinary” impact statement made by one of the victims at the time of Mr. Campbell’s plea and said the man’s agreement with the proposed sentence weighed heavily in his sentencing deliberations.

Judge Agnes cautioned Mr. Campbell that he could be sentenced to up to life imprisonment if he were to violate the terms of his probation after his release from custody.

December 23, 2004

Former priest pleads guilty

WORCESTER— The man shook his head in bewilderment as he took the stand in Superior Court yesterday, confronting his former priest, who minutes earlier had pleaded guilty to molesting him as a teenager.

“Where do you begin … to describe the certain pain people like this do to little children?” said the man, who is listed in court records only by his initials, J.H., in an effort to conceal his identity.

“We took a pedophile off the street today, so he can never do this again.”

James D. Campbell, a former Catholic priest in Warwick, R.I., pleaded guilty to rape, admitting he took J.H. and another teenager to a restaurant in Uxbridge nearly 30 years ago and molested them on different occasions.

Mr. Campbell, who was last known to be living with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Pennsylvania, will be sentenced Jan. 10 on charges of rape, two counts of assault and battery, two counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor, and unnatural and lascivious acts.

The assistant district attorney and Mr. Campbell’s lawyer recommended a 90-day jail term followed by 10 years of probation. Superior Court Judge Peter W. Agnes Jr. will consider the recommendation Jan. 10.

J.H. said in a victim impact statement yesterday that he is a “compassionate” man and so he agreed with the recommended sentence. Still, he lashed out at his former priest, who was an assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s Church in Rhode Island, saying he showed no compassion at all while pleading guilty.

“This guy just doesn’t get it,” J.H. said, urging Judge Agnes to keep in mind the “scar” the former priest left.

“I know you understand, and I know the court understands, but he just doesn’t get it. I did what I had to do and I feel justice has been served,” he said.

Mr. Campbell pleaded guilty to taking two teenagers to a restaurant in Uxbridge in

1975 and 1978, plying them with alcohol and molesting them. J.H., who was 16 in 1975, told police he was molested by the former priest, who was 32 at the time, after they had a meal. They returned to the priest’s car and the priest began touching him and putting his hand under his clothing, he told police.

A second victim, who was 14 at the time, told police Mr. Campbell bought her a meal and drinks and began touching her. She began to complain and the priest grew apologetic and did not rape her, according to statements made in court yesterday.

November 16, 2004

Rev James Campbell case assigned new date November 23, 2004 on trial court computer.

Calenderer search results found that Rev. James Campbell's case now is scheduled for an additional appearance in Worcester Superior Court for Tuesday November 23, 2004. The trial court computer show 19 cases are presently listed on that date.  Rev Campbell's case is listed number 11 and then number 17, 18, 19 all on the same day. 

11

Commonwealth v Campbell, James D.

11/23/2004

09:00

1

Crim 1 (204 Worcester)

17		Commonwealth v Campbell, James D		11/23/2004		09:00		1		Crim 1 (204 Worcester)
18		Commonwealth v Campbell, James D.		11/23/2004		09:00		1		Crim 1 (204 Worcester)
19		Commonwealth v Campbell, James D		11/23/2004		09:00		1		Crim 1 (204 Worcester)

No additional docket entries have been posted since the last entry dated June 24, 2004 which reads: After hearing - JUDGE BORENSTEIN HAS PAPERS.  This next court appearance would be the third by Rev Campbell this month.  No further information was posted as to the conclusion of today's scheduled appearance.

November 15, 2004

Rev. James D Campbell, to report to Superior Court for another scheduled hearing.

Posting on the Massachusetts trial court computer system in criminal case number WOCR2003-01575 in Worcester superior court pending against Rev. James D Campbell who has pleaded not guilty to 1 count Unnatural Rape, 1 count Unnatural and Lascivious Acts, 2 counts Assault and Battery, and 2 counts Furnishing Alcohol to a minor will again today, have another court appearance.  Rev Campbell  was first indicted October 9, 2003.  

This case has been slow moving in Superior court with dates being rescheduled and conference to continue further motions and actions.

	10/12/2004		09:00		Conference: Pre-Trial		1		Event held as scheduled
	10/22/2004		09:00		Conference: Pre-Trial		1		Event held as scheduled
	11/01/2004		09:00		TRIAL: by jury		1		Event rescheduled by court prior to date
	11/01/2004		09:00		Conference: Status Review		1		Event held as scheduled
	11/15/2004		09:00		Status: Motion review/assignment		1

The last four cases against accused clergy, that have been investigated by the Auburn C-Pac Unit of the state police have failed to gain a criminal conviction.  

In the opinion of some legal scholars, Bishop Daniel Reilly who reassigned Rev Peter Inzerillo late December 2000 following the payment in a sexual abuse civil suit to which Rev Inzerillo was a named defendant for $300,000 dollars, and then Bishop Reilly's lack of action while numerous events regarding inappropriate sexual behavior had been reported regarding Rev Inzerillo's short stay at St Leo parish clearly makes the actions of Bishop Daniel Reilly appear prosecutable under the 1993 Mass. General Laws chapter 265, section 13L, Reckless Endangerment to Children.

Presently, Worcester District Attorney John Conte continues to refuse to investigate the hierarchy of the Worcester Catholic church for criminal wrong doing.  No Bishop or Priest from the Worcester Dioceses has ever been questioned by the Auburn C-Pac State police unit since the crisis broke in 2002.

Please email Worcester DA John Conte spokesperson, Liz Stammo, and ask what type of investigation is this?

October 29, 2004

Clergy trial once listed on Worcester DA John Conte's web site postponed.

Posting on the Massachusetts trial court computer system today confirms that prior to the trial date of Rev. James D Campbell the event was rescheduled by the court.  Rev Campbell has pleaded not guilty to 1 count Unnatural Rape, 1 count Unnatural and Lascivious Acts, 2 counts Assault and Battery, and 2 counts Furnishing Alcohol to a minor.  Rev Campbell was first indicted October 9, 2003.  

The charges stem from an incident that allegedly involved a male victim who was 16 at the time. Rev. Campbell was an assistant pastor at St. Joseph's Church, West Warwick, R.I.  Lawyers for the defendant attempted to have the indictment dismissed December 2003.

The two prior docket entries show that in criminal case number WOCR2003-01575 in Worcester superior court that two pretrial conferences, one on October 12, and one October 22 were held as scheduled.  Presently, this case currently stands before the court rescheduled for a November 1, 2004 status review hearing.  It is possible at this hearing for district attorney Conte to drop the criminal charges which currently are pending, or Rev Campbell to plead guilty 

Rev. Campbell would be the seventh clergyman to face criminal charges in Central Massachusetts by information provided by an investigation conducted by John Conte's C-Pac state police unit currently directed by Captain Thomas G. Greene.  Rev. David L. Blizard, Brother Louis Laperle, and Rev. Andrew J. Bierkan, were found not guilty at trial.  Rev. Paul Desilets still remains in Canada, awaiting extradition and Rev. John J. Szantyr criminal case has been placed on hold for an undisclosed reasons. Only the Rev. Robert Kelly who pleaded guilty has faced punishment in the criminal justice system.

In Worcester District Court, a criminal case against the Rev. Jean-Paul Gagnon, charged with indecent assault on a person over 14 currently remains at pre-trial conference status. In an unusual move the case was transferred from Uxbridge district court to Worcester district court at the last court date. The Rev Jean-Paul Gagnon is being defended by Attorney Edward Ryan of Fitchburg.  Attorney Ryan also represented Rev. Jean-Paul Gagnon in a civil suit for sexual abuse allegations by a different male. That case was settled for an undisclosed amount.

After the case against Rev Andrew Biekan ended with a not guilty verdict, District Attorney John Conte removed his criminal prosecution page from his web site.  At first his staff only removed the link but when a voice article pointed out the pages were still available by typing in the direct address, the pages were removed from the server.  Currently on the District Attorney John Conte's server the Rev. Robert Kelley page is still available by direct address, (or at lest until he reads this article http://www.worcesterda.com/Clergy/Kelley.html).

Lt Frank Moore, was commander of the Auburn C-Pac unit when the only investigation since the 2002 sexual abuse scandal broke that gained a conviction against a Worcester Dioceses Catholic Priest was conducted.  Trooper Thomas Ryan and Trooper Marian McGovern the primary investigators in the Robert Kelley case along with Lt Moore, their supervisor were all removed by District Attorney John Conte from the Auburn C-Pac State Police unit.

If this criminal case fails to gain a conviction, this will be the fourth prosecutorial failure.

September 13, 2003

Priest is indicted in Uxbridge case

Kathleen A. Shaw, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER- The Rev. James D. Campbell, 58, was indicted yesterday by a Worcester County grand jury in connection with a 1975 incident in Uxbridge and charged with unnatural rape, assault and battery and providing alcoholic beverages to a minor.

Rev. Campbell was last known to be living with Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Center Valley, Pa., and is believed to be living at 330 Station Ave., Center Valley, District Attorney John J. Conte said. Rev. Campbell will be arraigned at a later date in Worcester Superior Court, Mr. Conte said.

The three indictments relate to an incident that allegedly involved a male victim who was 16 at the time. The victim was not named.

Rev. Campbell was an assistant pastor at St. Joseph's Church, West Warwick, R.I., at the time of the incident, Mr. Conte said. A spokeswoman for the Providence Diocese said yesterday it had not been informed of the indictment and could not comment.

State police detectives attached to the district attorney's office have been investigating the allegations involving Rev. Campbell for a year, Mr. Conte said. Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey T. Travers of the child abuse unit is prosecuting the case.

This is the seventh clergyman to face criminal charges in Central Massachusetts this year. All but one live out of state.

Mr. Conte is seeking the extradition of the Rev. Paul Desilets from Canada. He faces 18 grand jury indictments alleging that he sexually abused several boys at Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Bellingham. The extradition issue is still before the courts in Canada. Rev. Desilets left Massachusetts for Canada several years ago.

The Rev. David L. Blizard, who served at several parishes in the Worcester diocese until leaving in 1988, will be back in Brockton Superior Court on Oct. 2 for a pretrial hearing on a sexual misconduct allegation that occurred with an underage male several years ago in Wareham. He is now living in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. Mr. Conte turned that case over to the Plymouth County district attorney because the incident is alleged to have occurred in that jurisdiction.

The Rev. John J. Szantyr of Waterbury, Conn., is due back in Worcester Superior Court on Oct. 14 for pretrial conference in connection with three charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. The district attorney's office alleges that he sexually molested a Worcester boy in the 1980s, when he was assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa parish.

Brother Louis Laperle, former principal of Notre Dame High School, Fitchburg, faces three charges of assault and battery alleging that he sexually abused a student at the high school from January to June 1968. The man, now age 51 and living in Lunenburg, according to state police reports, ended the alleged abuse by going home and never returning to the school.

Brother Laperle, who now lives in Rhode Island, is due back in court for arraignment Sept. 23. Mr. Conte said they had to limit the charges to misdemeanor assault and battery because the charges of indecent assault and battery did not exist at the time of the alleged incidents.

The Rev. Andrew J. Bierkan, 54, former minister at the First Congregational Church, Sutton, and now living in Ohio, has been arraigned on one charge of unnatural rape of a child and one charge of posing a minor in a state of nudity. Pretrial conference is set for Oct. 9 in Worcester Superior Court.

The Rev. Robert E. Kelley, who recently pleaded guilty to unnatural rape of two girls when he was associate pastor at St. Cecilia's Church, Leominster, is to be sentenced in Worcester Superior Court on Oct. 1.

February 20, 2004

Blackstone pastor removed from parish

Catholic free press

BLACKSTONE – Father James D. Champion, pastor of St. Paul Parish for the last 12 years, has been placed on administrative leave of absence because of allegations of sexual misconduct, Bishop Reilly has announced.

The bishop, in a letter sent to priests of the diocese Tuesday, said the allegations do not involve children or minors or any of the parishioners at St. Paul’s.

Msgr. Thomas J. Sullivan, diocesan Chancellor, has been named temporary administrator of the parish, Bishop Reilly announced today. He will continue as Chancellor and Director of Vocation with his residence remaining at the bishop’s residence.

Msgr. Sullivan told parishioners about Father Champion’s removal at the Masses last weekend. He assured them that the bishop would assign a priest to be responsible for the spiritual and temporal administration of the parish. “The stability and strength of St. Paul’s is very important to the bishop. All of the regular parish scheduling will then continue as planned and parish activities will not be curtailed,” Msgr. Sullivan said.

Msgr. Sullivan told parishioners that the diocese learned of the allegations against Father Champion from the district attorney. He said the bishop and the Diocesan Review Board have investigated the matter and will continue to do so. He said the district attorney’s investigation also will continue.

District Attorney John J. Conte said the allegations do not involve a child or a minor. He said no charges have been filed against Father Champion. He said the man who made the allegations agreed that the district attorney could make his charges known to the Diocese of Worcester, but did not want to proceed with criminal charges, Mr. Conte said.

Msgr. Sullivan told the parishioners that the diocesan process, established by Bishop Harrington and strengthened in 1996 by Bishop Reilly, requires that the bishop remove a priest when there is a credible allegation of sexual misconduct, “and the diocese is compelled to continue to investigate these matters.”

He said that both the bishop and he are aware of the “many good aspects of the pastoral ministry of Father Champion through his 12 years as pastor at St. Paul’s Parish. We are aware of how much good Father Champion has done in service to you, the parishioners. So we know you will be troubled and hurt by this news.”

He told the parishioners that the diocese is aware of the importance of investigating any allegation of misconduct in light of the important needs of the victims of sexual misconduct.

“Our hearts go out to the victims of sexual misconduct, no matter who the perpetrator might be, and we know that many today are suffering from a similar experience they may have had years ago,” he said.

He asked for prayers for all the victims of sexual misconduct, many of whom continue to suffer years after their difficult experience. He said that statistics provided by the Massachusetts Department of Social Services indicate that there are thousands of victims of sexual misconduct every year in Worcester County.

“The diocese has recently learned of two reports of child sexual abuse at the hands of a member of the clergy in Worcester County since the 1980s. Each occurred in the 1990s. To be sure, they are two too many,” he said.

“Nevertheless, sexual misconduct rages in our society. Many trusted family members or family friends, members of the clergy, coaches, teachers, physicians, youth group leaders, military personnel, lawmakers, law enforcement personnel and others have committed acts of sexual misconduct. It is an increasingly large phenomenon that touches every aspect of our lives in this society. And, it is always wrong.

“We must pray for the victims of sexual misconduct, and we must also pray for all those who have perpetrated any form of abuse. We are talking here about illness and disease. We are talking, on occasion, about perpetrators who have been abused themselves. We are speaking of perpetrators who may have been responsible for a single abusive action or, in some cases, a number of occasions when misconduct took place.

“I know that some day we will be better able to understand the causes of this illness, even as we learn more each day about the consequences. But the Church, which we love, asks us to pray for understanding and healing, and the Lord himself asks us to pray for forgiveness.”

Msgr. Sullivan asked for prayers ‘for ourselves and for our fellow parishioners,” for Bishop Reilly and other bishops “who carry the heaviest burden that they have ever carried, as well as for our priests, my brothers and your brothers, as they labor to serve the Church and you, their parishioners, in these trying times.”

February 20, 2004

Swampscott man removed as church pastor

By David Liscio Boston Herald

SWAMPSCOTT -- A Swampscott native and deputy national chaplain for the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) has been placed on administrative leave from his post as pastor of St. Paul's Church in Blackstone following allegations of sexual misconduct.