Rev. Sylvio Lacar removed from public ministry

Archbishop Richard W. Smith has permanently removed the faculties of Rev. Sylvio Lacar and removed him from any public ministry within the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton.

The decision to remove Rev. Lacar’s faculties was made because the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton has learned that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles identified Rev. Lacar as a priest against whom a credible accusation of sexual abuse of a minor was brought in the 1980s when he was serving in their Archdiocese. Rev. Lacar has denied this allegation, there was no criminal prosecution, but he was included in a group civil settlement.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton takes any allegation of abuse very seriously and acted swiftly upon learning of this allegation against Rev. Lacar by removing him from any public ministry while investigating. Rev. Lacar is a retired priest from the Diocese of Peterborough and was regularly serving at St. Theresa’s Parish in Ma-Me-O Beach and occasionally at St. Theresa’s Parish in Mill Woods.

The Archdiocese of Edmonton is committed to responding to reports of abuse by any of our clergy, staff or lay volunteers promptly, openly and in full co-operation with child welfare authorities and/or police. If you wish to report an incident of abuse, please call our confidential toll-free Abuse Line: 1-877-770-6777. Or reach us via confidential email by clicking on Contact Us and selecting Abuse Line.

Please join us in praying for everyone impacted by this situation.

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