Priest who worked in St. Lucia admits sex offenses

The priest involved in the scandal. Photo credit: the Windsor Star

The Roman Catholic Church has been plagued with sex-abuse scandals from time immemorial and although the Vatican has publicly apologized to victims on several occasions, little is done to sanction clergy members who commit such heinous acts.

This time around a Canadian priest has confessed to molesting the very children he took an oath to protect.  William Hodgson Marshall, 88, also known as Father Hod, was sentenced by a Windsor court to two years imprisonment for molesting sixteen people—one female and fifteen male.

Marshall was ordained in 1951 at the age of 28 and was known as an exemplary priest, a championship basketball coach and a teacher for half a century.  Now he is a registered sex offender.  His victims range from former students to children of his parishioners.  The earliest charge dates back to 1953.

In 1989, Marshall arrived in St Lucia to do missionary work.  He was attached to the St Benedict’s parish at Morne Fortune and also helped to establish the Holy Family Children’s Home in Ciceron.  He was removed from St Lucia in 1996, when allegations of abuse began surfacing in Canada.

Most of the Marshall’s victims in this case were students at all-boys’ high schools run by the congregation of St Basil’s, a Roman Catholic order of teaching priests also known as the Basilian Fathers.

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56 Comments

  1. June 20, 2013

    Roman Catholic priests are not allowed to be married. This rule did not come from God. It was created by the church basically for two reasons. (1) It is easier to move the priests around if they don’t have wives and families, and (2) When a priest dies they want any real estate and money he has to go to the church not to his wife or children.

    There is absolutely no Biblical basis for this policy which is called celibacy. The Apostle Peter was a married man. According to Matthew 8:14-15 Jesus healed Peter’s wife’s mother. The Apostle Paul sad in 1 Timothy 3:2 a bishop must be “…the husband of one wife.” He also warned in 1 Timothy 4:1-3 that in the latter time there would be false teachers “…forbidding to marry,…”

    Through the centuries the Catholic church tried to force celibacy on the priests with various degrees of success. But in 1545 the Council of Trent made strict pronouncements concerning he marriage of clergy. Priests who married would be excommunicated and barred from all religious duties. A married man who wanted to become a priest had to leave his wife.

    However, to blame celibacy for priests who molest boys is totally unreasonable. If the fact that they are not married was to blame they would be sinning with women or little girls, not boys. What does a priest not having a wife have to do with him molesting fifteen boys? Absolutely nothing! This is a major problem we are seeing again and again in Canada, the USA, the Caribbean, Europe, and world wide. These men are homosexuals and worse still, pedophiles.

    What is it about the priesthood that draws homosexuals into the profession? (a) These men have no intention of getting married so celibacy is not a sacrifice for them. (b) The priesthood provides a perfect cover for their homosexuality. People will not be asing them why they don’t date or why they don’t get married. (c) The priesthood provides them with the company of young men and little boys through contacts that appear quite innocent. (d) The offering of their lives to God helps them overcome their guilt. Their service to the church gives them a sense of forgiveness and acceptance with God.

    Those who are familar with the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church and also know what the Bible says will realize there is a vast difference between the two. Only when people decide to trust and follow the Word of God and not the teaching of a religious organization will they find a way of faith that makes sense and gives them true peace.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist. http://www.livinghopeministries.ca

  2. October 7, 2011

    These men are in prison, as it is. They do get horny too. They had been having sex all the time, only recently people are complaining about sexual misbehavior. This is not going to stop. They are going about it the wrong way though. Catholic priests should have wives just like pastors in any other religion. Some are gay too. Can you imagine a man not having an errection for all of his life? unless he’s incompetent. Do you think the nuns don’t have sex? Boys as young as 5 years old are having errection much less a man. Priest or not, they do have feelings. It’s time that they practice what they preach.

  3. just saying
    July 12, 2011

    this will continue to happen as long as the Vatican keeps that no marriage rule for priests….this rule is sooooo absurd to me…free up dem priests man…they have blood too

  4. pal
    July 9, 2011

    ey look well in other to get ready for the revival the old wine must be thrown out of the new bottle i am just saying bull adultery and things to come cannot seperate me from the love of god

  5. SOURSOP
    July 8, 2011

    i am not pleased with what is going on..people we must stop commenting on the bad thngs only..is things like that, that enlighten you all…bethy people…killing cow in the middle of the year…come on

  6. IBIG MOUTH
    July 7, 2011

    Let’s not bash the priest and the catholic church. Because u had BJ like a God and thank God the young lady had the guts to stand up and talk about it or else he was even holier than Jesus. More have to come out is just a matter of time. On Sunday gone 24 people that was in the Church. The Pastor was enjoying the queenly sex stroke becaue his wife to fat she cannot raise her leg. The Pastor Wfe (First Lady) so hypocrite whe went on a honeymmon to Jungle bBay last wekend. I hope she learn how to give him the Queenly stroke.

  7. Annie
    July 5, 2011

    i am a Catholic but this priest digusts me and 2 years is not enought, what is this world coming to. Why didn’t he go after those grannies who come for confession.

    • Anonymous
      May 16, 2013

      cast then the first stone

  8. HEAD SHAKING
    July 4, 2011

    TWO YEARS IS NOT ENUFF…THE MAN IS A PEDOPHILE FROM LONG TIME…DISGUSTING!!

    LAW SHOULD SEE ALL PEOPLE(CRIMINALS) AS THE SAME…PREFERENCE SHOULD NOT BE DELIVERED ACCORDING TO SOCIAL STATUS IN WHATEVER COUNTRY IT MAY BE…THEY KNEW IT WAS WRONG SO THEY SHOULD FACE THE PENALTIES TO THE HARSHEST LEVEL…NO MERCY!

    • Anonymous
      May 16, 2013

      and your wrongs published in public too and let me see u survive

  9. July 3, 2011

    him fee dead

  10. people
    July 1, 2011

    waw!!!! two years, and you expect me too trust the law ….father Hod could kiss my black a$$… molesting nicca that aint kool bro!!!that make make mother and father take justice in their own hands… But God is not a police..If he can forgive you bro i can..but he knws that was trifling

  11. spy
    June 30, 2011

    b.j? ACTIONS that IS no mistake it was a choice 7 years
    its not like a week nah, what kind of anointing he had on him? SEX ????????
    preaching every day to us ND PRAYING WITH CHARISMA OH GOD.
    what example he set for me i was studing to be just like him.now i lost my way.

  12. Anonymous
    June 30, 2011

    They should have cut his cockcock the first time..

  13. Dr Birdie
    June 29, 2011

    i wonder if Lenox and Mat read that that is their religion and catholic priests have a habit of not sex but commiting abomination on young boys but to get to PM Skerrit theo destroying BJ has mat or Lenox never commited Adultry in their life ok BJ sex a girl thats normal in men but bulling boys is a bigger crime.lenox and mat are two hyprocrits if u have no sin cast the first stone wicked.

    • pacem
      July 4, 2011

      in what bible you read that bulling is worse than adultery? you making excuse for bj whose sin is just as bad as that of the priests. they just the same, those so called church leaders.

    • BABS
      July 5, 2011

      Bullying, adultery “ALL SIN IS SIN” AND WE ALL FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. No one is perfect No not one. In our eyes there are sins that are greater than others, but in the eyes of the Lord, all sin is sin.

    • wonder woman
      July 6, 2011

      Dr Birdie iknow u…. but u cheating on yr wife tooo. talking about casting stone :-P :twisted:

      • Anonymous
        May 16, 2013

        yeah icheated but she is a goddess and has forgiven me i hurt her and wont do it again. hurt for hurt only makes the world a worse place,punishement never solved a crime or made pple better. so go on and judge if u feel u r God!

  14. cylos
    June 29, 2011

    priests have been molesting the ones they are supposed to be an example to and protect. they abuse the kids and get away the church always cover up for them. the bible never said a man should give up a life with a wife and kids to be a priest or nun they choose to do so but we are all human and have feelings no priest or nun can go years without sexual feelings it is so sad to see ypung boys molested by priests then threatened not to say a word. the catholic church world wide needs to be investigated properly

    • Thomas
      June 29, 2011

      The actual rate of sex crimes perpetrated by priests is lower than that of members of any other profession. Teachers, for instance are far more likely to molest kids than priests. It is horrific that this priest harmed so many people, but it has nothing whatever to do with his Catholicity. This is simply yet another piece of yellow journalism that uses the crimes of a sinful person who happens to be a priest to attach the one true Church.

      • SOURSOP
        July 8, 2011

        that’s what they are doing to bj…using his crime/sin to attack d church./.which i finf=d is wrong..i’m not taking for any of them but we must not judge people

      • April 29, 2014

        Studies have shown that homosexuals are 30 times more likely to molest children that heterosexuals The RCC church has more straight priests than gay priests. Yet it is the gay priests who are molesting boys – not the straight priests who are molesting girls – who are creating the scandals and forcing he church to pay out millions of dollars in settlement money.

        Homosexual men are attracted to the RC priesthood as a profession because they do not plan to marry so celibacy is not sacrifice for them. It brings them in contacts with many little boys and young men that appear to be perfectly innocent. They think their service to God is a form of penance that will help towards their forgiveness.

        There have always been occasions of priests sinning with women in he parish and community. Homosexual transgressions were not unheard of. But the present problem as it is now came in on the high crest of the gay revolution in the 20th century.

        I have not seen statistics comparing the priesthood with other professions for sexual molestations. But is hard to imagine a higher score. This is not just a problem that has broken out in one nation that can be blamed on social causes peculiar to the locality. It is found pretty much where ever the RCC is. This suggests that the causes are within the church itself.

        The lack of genuine Christian leadership based on consistent principles from the top (the pope) down (through the bishops), the toleration, and cover up, has allowed for the growth of this cancer.

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

    • July 4, 2011

      These evangical leaders and their members are just as hypocritical as catholics and their members always covering up the evils of their leaders and claim to be speaking in unknown/angelic tongues. They can only fool some of the people some of the time. A tongue is a language and the deciples spoke in different languages on the day of pentecost so much so that everyone present heard the gospel in his/her language. tell these demon possessed evangelical leaders to repent and be baptized and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which will enable them to obey the laws of God. Babylon is fallen is fallen. get out of her my people. They babble like drunkards and claim to speak in tongues.

      • August 4, 2013

        Speaking in tongues was never used to preach the gospel. In fact in Acts 2 the disciples were speaking in tongues for three hours before the crowd of unbelieving Jews even arrived. When the crowd gathered what they heard were things they recognized to be “the wonderful works of God”, obviously the believers were praising God for His miracles in the Old Testament as He cared for His people. When Peter stood up to preach he did not preach in tongues – he spoke in the common language of Palestine at that time which was Aramaic. The Jews who had gathered from many countries knew Aramaic – the language of their homeland – as well as the languages of their various adopted countries. It was important for them to keep their Aramaic alive because all able bodied Jewish men were required (if possible) to go to Jerusalem several times a year to celebrate Jewish feasts at the temple.

        In Acts 2 people did recognize the languages spoken and this miracle served the added purpose of grabbing the attention of the crowd and giving Peter an attentive audience. There have been isolated cases of God doing this in our day. However, it is the exception now as it was in the first century.

        In Acts 10 and Acts 19 people spoke in tongues when God poured out His Spirit upon them. But there is no mention that anybody recognized or understood the languages spoken. Tongues are not for the purpose of preaching the gospel. They serve three purposes. (1) They are a sign that the believer has received the coming upon and filling of the Holy Spirit. This is the overflow and is usually praise unto the Lord as on the day of Pentecost. (2) They are a prayer language – sometimes a God given gift of intercession when the Holy Spirit Himself prays through the believer for a problem the believer does not understand or may not even be aware of. (3) They are a means by which God can speak an urgent message of encouragement to the congregation when accompanied by the companion gift of interpretation of tongues.

        In Act 2 and Acts 10 we find where believers received the Holy Spirit coming upon them and filling them. In these two chapters the speaking in tongues was accepted as the initial (first and obvious) sign or evidence that the believers had received the fullness of the Spirit. Because Peter said in Acts 2 this was for “all flesh” and for “sons and daughters”, “servants and handmaidens”, and for “your children”, “and all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” AND because millions of sincere believers in the Lord Jesus (in various Christian denomination) have received this wonderful experience in these days, we Pentecostal Christians believe it is for us in this 21 century!

        In 1 Corinthians 14 instructions are given for the orderly exercise of the vocal gifts of the Spirit: tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy. There is no indication here that tongues are for the purpose of preaching in the languages of the listeners. This chapter refers to praying in tongues and to messages in tongues with the God given gift of interpretation.

        Law Abiding, we are not perfect people. But we have experienced a Biblical truth – a New Testament reality – in our day that helps us in our walk and witness. At the same time we recognize that there are genuine Christians who have not yet discovered and entered into the fullness of this blessing such as Apollos in Acts 18:24-28, and certain disciples such as those in Ephesus in Acts 19:1,2, and we want to share it with them.

        Unfortunately there are Christian leaders who have sin. But I can assure you that the denomination I belong to (the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada with 1,200 churches from coast to coast) does not cover up for ministers within our ranks who commit serious moral offences. They are expelled from the ministry not merely transferred to another pulpit. In some cases (depending on the seriousness of the sin) they can be restored and reinstated but it requires time and true repentence. We believe this is the Biblical way.

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist.

  15. trupatriot
    June 29, 2011

    the molesting of children by catholic priests isn’t anything new. they are all protected by the vatican, and whenever the alegations starts coming up the priest in question is move (by the vatican) to another location. this has been going on 4 a looooong time and nothing is done about it. the are documentries, that tells about the way the vatican protects these criminals which we call priests. i trust no priest, nor pastor….

  16. 4 sheezy
    June 29, 2011

    I wonda wat he do in St Lucia. These Caribbean people shame 2 talk

  17. Anonymous
    June 29, 2011

    YOU FULL OF SHIT VIP!
    BJ NOT NO PASTOR,HIS A PLAIN HIPOCRIT WHO WILL BURN IN HELL IF HE DOESNT REPENT.
    SAME GOES TO THIS PRIEST AND ALL WHO PREENDING TO BE SENT BY GOD AND NOT SETTING THE EXAMPLE OR LIVING RIGHT. FIRE BON DEM. THEY MAKE ME SICK. NASTY M*****F******

  18. fatty batty
    June 29, 2011

    just finish reading a pastor in another country molesting young woman,pastor molesting young boys now i reading again what is going on in the world of today.

  19. Anonymous
    June 29, 2011

    Some protestants argue that the priests within the Catholic faith are liable to commit acts of child molestation and sex outside of marriage mainly because they are not allowed to get married. However, if we look at the situation with protestant leaders (pastors, deacons etc), we come to realize that they are permitted to enter into marriage and even with that, they go on to have extramarital affairs. My question is, does marriage really provide greater assurance that these leaders will remain focused on administering the Word and gaining support for God’s kingdom? NO!The point is:WE ARE ALL HUMAN AND FALLIBLE.

    • July 31, 2013

      Marriage would help some priests avoid sexual involvement with women in the parish or community but unfortunately would not in every case. The Apostle Paul wrote “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:2)

      However, priests who sexually molest boys are not doing it because they are not married. These are homosexual pedophile priests. They sometimes are attracted to the priesthood because it provides a cover for their homosexuality. People are not going to wonder why they are not dating or didn’t get married. The priesthood also brings them in contact with boys in what appears to be a perfectly innocent setting. Also being a priest (they think) puts them in a place of greater favor with God so they can receive grace and be forgiven for their sins.

      Allowing priests to get married would not prevent these men from being pedophiles. If they were not molesting boys in the Catholic church they would be doing it outside the church.

      Anonymous, you are right. Protestant pastors and deacons also sometimes commit sexual sin. There is less excuse for us. We are allowed to marry. Let me just say marriage is a blessing. It helps. This is one reason Paul recommended the married state. But it does not 100% guarrantee that a man will not fail because as you have said we are all human. Not having a marriage partner is not the only reason individuals commit sexual sins.

      Not all priests are guilty of such transgressions. Many are dedicated hard working men doing what they believe is God’s will for their lives. I disagree with much of the theology and many practices in the Catholic Church. But this does not mean I don’t recognize that there are many devoted Catholics who are good people. This applies to many priests and others in the religious life.

      We should pray one for another. All can be saved through faith in Jesus Christ by trusting His shed blood and death alone for our salvation according to Romans 5:6-8, and Ephesians 2:8,9.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist.

  20. interesting
    June 29, 2011

    I do not seee why this need to be turned into a religious war. This man molested 16 children. Affected 16 young lives and gets 2 years. where is the justice?

  21. Just Me
    June 29, 2011

    You know! Look out folks, its the end of the world! :cry:

  22. Just Me
    June 29, 2011

    Lardi Lardi :( Culprits here. Culprits there. Culprits, culprits everywhere.

  23. Common sense
    June 29, 2011

    DNO posted this article to get feedback on the the present situation that is going on in our country. Maybe they didn’t want to be held accountable, hence they could not post it.

  24. NatureBoy
    June 28, 2011

    I would like to know why in some cases such as with this news item, DNO publishes full names and even photos of offenders, whereas in other cases they claim legal restrictions against identifying offenders by name or photos. Please enlighten. Thanks.

  25. Goose
    June 28, 2011

    We need to be careful with our judgements. While this is a very disappointing event it is the same as you and me out there having sexual relations outside of marriage. It is highlighted because he is a pastor. I say this to all of us, have we trusted Christ with our lives, are we not guilty of sin like Pastor BJ, will we find salvation by laughing at his weakness or by accepting Christ into our hearts and lives. This is not the first man who has fallen and he can rise again with the forgiveness of Christ available to him. Let us not find ourselves enjoying this event as if we are meeting God’s Standards for living. The enemy is active among us and we cannot go to heaven by looking at Pastor BJ OR ANY OTHER, WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EYES FOCUSSED ON CHRIST, HE IS THE ONLY WAY and HE CANNOT FAIL US EVER. I pray that Pastor BJ and that young lady can both get their relationship with Christ back on track. Its strange that we forgot that it was two indivduals involved in this saga, two not one. It takes two to tango. I pray for them both.

    • John The Baptist
      June 29, 2011

      Goose don’t hold your breath because I can asure you that the tango consisted of more than just two. Other women are afraid or too ashamed to reveal their tango with pastor abortion.

    • SOURSOP
      July 8, 2011

      well said goose well said

  26. June 28, 2011

    YEAH! ISN’T THAT STRANGE? DNO WILL NOT REPORT ON A PROMINANT LOCAL PASTOR, BUT IT WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO CANADA TO REPORT ON A CATHOLIC PRIEST. SAME THING HAPPENED SOME YEARS AGO WITH THE $50,000 SCANDAL WITH THAT SAME PASTOR. SUDDENLY THERE WAS SOME STORY ABOUT ABUSIVE PRIEST IN A CERTAIN VILAGE IN DOMINICA.

  27. jj
    June 28, 2011

    We are only hearing of his actions in Canada, but nothing was mentioned in regards to his years in ST.Lucia.

  28. looking in
    June 28, 2011

    In time….all these acts will be exposed,,one by one,,two by two..
    But again, no man is perfect and may fall short,,,,sin is sin. Therefore all these commentators who are pointing fingers and calling names, i suggest we all start cleaning up from our homes.

  29. vip
    June 28, 2011

    Those hypocrite catholics that want to jump on Pasture BJ case must learn to first clean their backyard cause their priest are pedophiles ,child molesters and homosexuals and they are still committed to their catholic faith.We must learn tom put our trust in God and not man and learn to expect any thing from man cause man is perpetually wicked.And in Dominica many people are unhappy and suspicious of their mate.Some will not even have sex with their husband or wife without condoms and that the truth.

    • Dominican for sure
      June 28, 2011

      …and i guess u saying this to say that what Pastor BJ did was good? A stone will always be a stone, even if u found it in the river or in the bushes. So Catholics, Penticostal, dont matter what the religion, it has nothing to do with the failures of these men.

    • Ban Movay
      June 28, 2011

      Your comment shows that your thoughts are all over the place. Barring this, We are all human and subject to falter. Religion has nothing to do with sin. It is human error. There are sinners in catholic church, baptist church, pentecostal church, church of christ and the list goes on. It is not isolated. I would not rejoice. Instead I would put my energy into living right.

      • SOURSOP
        July 8, 2011

        I AGREE BAN MOVAY

    • Karmen
      June 28, 2011

      you glad we u get the opportunity to cover up Pastar BJ! doh burss your blood vessel over the priest he overseas, go pray for BJ and his family and ask him to repent in publc where he use to preach his HYPOCRISY. HEY I AM JUST KEEPIN IT REAL, GET IT, LOL.

    • Anonymous
      June 29, 2011

      Two wrongs don’t make a right. both have a call to answer so just stay there and try to protect the people who harm others.

  30. lala
    June 28, 2011

    this priest shall pay for his crimes.that’s sad parents cant even trust their own priest with their children.but also i would like to point out that the dno have the story on backburner with the dominican pastor while other country news they reporting first hand.

  31. Anonymous
    June 28, 2011

    DNO i find allu well bold to be putting that up as news and is not even in Dominica….whereas allyou well know what going on in Dominica with a popular pastor….but allyou will never put it up….anyway the wickedness that men do shall live with them…that priest should take jail like any other person.

  32. response reader
    June 28, 2011

    2 years jail….16 victims….they should execute that thing for spreading corruption ( buggery, rape, child molestation ) on Gods Earth.

  33. John The Baptist
    June 28, 2011

    O my goodness. Pastor Bon Jovi (Pastor BJ) need to pray for those predator priest man.
    Pastor BJ pray for them nuh.

    • SOURSOP
      July 8, 2011

      LOL

  34. hmmm
    June 28, 2011

    Lord have mercy..please do not trust anyone with you children.

    • vip
      June 28, 2011

      Most abuse happens in the home .So you have to look in your house first and` your close friends.you point no doubt is well accepted.

      • KnowGod4Urself
        June 29, 2011

        Hey small minded people. Stop trying to make one person look bad by trying to uphold another who has committed the same offence. All wrong is wrong, wether it be priest or pastor, brother or sister, neighbour or friend that commits the act. Not because I am a christian I must try to justify what Pastor BJ has done by laying blame on a priest who has done the same and vice versa. It is attitudes like that that hinders growth and prosperity in DA. come on people time to condemn sin, no matter who has done the wrong. And also let me say that condemning sin does not mean that one hates the person who has done it. When we talk about the ills that happens in our land in love then people like Pastor BJ and the priest will rise from their slumber and think twice about committing these acts again. When we try to make excuses for them they will only continue to lavish in their sins.

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