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1989
The Diocese of London implements a Sexual Abuse Policy (one of the first in Canada to do so). A Sexual Abuse Committee is formed, consisting of a civil lawyer, a licensed psychologist, a canon lawyer and a director of education.
1992
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) releases From Pain to Hope–Report from the Ad Hoc Committee on Child Sexual Abuse.
1993
The Diocese implements a Sexual Harassment Policy, incorporated as an addendum to the Personnel Policy Manual.
1994
The Diocese reviews its policy in the light of the CCCB document, F r o m Pain to Hope. (No revisions were required.)
1996
An alternate dispute resolution process is used to reach settlements in civil suits pertaining to incidents of clergy sexual misconduct.
1998
The Most Rev. John Sherlock, Bishop of London from 1978-2002, makes a public commitment to support victims of sexual misconduct by paying for counselling.
1999
Bishop Sherlock writes a letter to the priests and people of the Diocese acknowledging incidents of sexual abuse by clergy. He states such behaviour must be condemned, urges support for victims and acknowledges the negative impact of clergy sexual misconduct on the majority of priests who serve faithfully and well.
2001
The Diocese implements Called, Gifted and Sent, a program of screening for all volunteers who help in parishes and all diocesan offices and organizations, aimed at providing a safe environment for children and other vulnerable persons.
2002
Bishop Sherlock makes a public apology to victims and to the people of the Diocese. A full screening program, including police checks, is completed and filed for all persons who minister in the Diocese.
2004
The Most Rev. Ronald Fabbro, C.S.B., Bishop of London from 2002- present, agrees to dispense with the “confidentiality clause” in legal settlements for all persons who request it. The Sexual Harassment Policy is updated.
2005
The Diocese begins a process of reviewing its sexual misconduct policy. A special CCCB task force submits its report on the review of From Pain to Hope.
2006
Bishop Fabbro delivers a public apology to victims of abuse and announces his decision to apply for the dismissal of certain priests from the clerical state. Bishop Fabbro brings his experience to the discussion of clergy sexual abuse during the Canadian Bishops’ plenary assembly.
2008
Revisions to sexual abuse policy are completed and promulgated by Bishop Fabbro.
2014 & 2016
Minor updates are applied to the policy.
2018
Bishop Fabbro made a written statement concerning clergy sexual abuse of minors, and our diocesan response. His Excellency's Letter to the Faithful was in the form of a homily and shared with every Diocese on the weekend of September 15-16, 2018. Click here to see the letter in French and English.
In October, 2018, the The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops released a document called "The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Releases New Document to Protect Minors and Vulnerable Adults from Sexual Abuse." Bishop Fabbro was asked by his fellow Bishops to write the Forward. He also served as the national English-language media contact. To read the document please click here.
2021
The Safe Environment Policy is updated again to reflect changes in technology and diocesan protocols. Click here to read the policy.