There has been a shakeup at two churches in Windsor.
Bishop Ronald Fabbro has announced that Reverend Daniel Bombardier, Episcopal Vicar for Essex and Windsor, has been appointed parish administrator of St. Theresa and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Windsor, effective October 3. He is replacing Father Andy Dwyer who has been relieved of his duties as the Diocese of London investigates allegations against him. Reverend Bombardier is the current Parish Administrator of St. John Vianney in Windsor.
In the meantime, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has released national guidelines to protect children from sexual abuse.
The document was unanimously adopted by the Bishops of Canada on September 27 during their 2018 annual assembly. The new guidelines are now being implemented to inform and educate clergy, members of religious communities and staff. The document has 69 recommendations inspired by nine lessons which bishops have learned through their collective experiences over the past quarter-century. The CCCB said chief among them is that victims must come first. The document seeks to provide guidance for protocols and policies for religious communities and to stimulate a cultural transformation in attitudes about sexual abuse. The new guidelines apply to all Catholic clergy (bishops, priests and deacons), as well as members of religious communities and staff who are working in Catholic parishes or church organizations.
Input was given by survivors, congregations, as well as professional consultants with experience and expertise in psychology, social work, child protection, and church and civil law.
The CCCB said the goal is to safeguard pastoral environments. The CCB added that bishops are committed to continuing to improve practices in their dioceses with an emphasis on long-term prevention and pre-emptive action.