Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall

Statement on the conviction of Father John Gannon, LC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 23, 2025

On September 22, 2025, Father John Gannon, LC, was found guilty by the Ontario Court of Justice of sexual assault and sexual exploitation, related to incidents that occurred in 2007 and 2008 during his ministry at the Legionaries of Christ novitiate and apostolic school in Cornwall.

Though Fr. Gannon is not a priest of our Archdiocese, these events affect us all, especially the faithful in the Cornwall community. We reaffirm our commitment to truth, justice, and the ongoing work of safeguarding all within the Church, especially the most vulnerable.

We echo the Legionaries of Christ in recognizing the immense courage it takes for someone to come forward. We pray for the victim, for continued justice, and for all who have been impacted by abuse, and for continued healing across our Church.

For further details, please refer to the public statement issued by the Legionaries of Christ.

Sample Will Wording and Charity Number

It is important that your Will include the correct legal name and charitable registration number in your documents. The legal name for the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall is:

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC EPISCOPAL CORPORATION OF OTTAWA-CORNWALL Charitable Registration # 128967353 RR0001

Your parish office is able provide you with the legal name for your own parish. However, most Archdiocesan parishes and programs can be designated in your Will as:

The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of OTTAWA-CORNWALL, for the benefit of [ Specific Parish, Cemetery, Ministry or Program ] in [ Town / City ].

You may also consider the following clauses in your Will:

For your parish:

“To pay to (Legal Name of Parish) Roman Catholic Parish for its own use absolutely, the sum of (amount) dollars. I declare that the receipt of the person professing to be the Pastor or Parochial Administrator of the parish shall be sufficient discharge to my Trustee who need not see to the application thereof. I further direct that if the (Name of Parish) does not exist at the time of my death, this bequest shall be paid to the Parish’s successor, and if no such successor exists, then to an institution with similar objectives and goals.”

Making a Declaration

Please email dev@ottawacornwall.ca to make a declaration that you have included the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall or any for its parishes in your Estate Plans.

Welcome to the Archdiocese

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