In a letter dated March 31, 1970, Father Leonard Joseph Kelly was instructed to swiftly depart from his parish by Bishop John Michael O’Neill due to undisclosed long-term issues. The bishop urged Kelly to leave Baie Verte permanently to avoid any scandal, suggesting he cite health reasons for his departure.
Rather than involving authorities, newly uncovered letters reveal that the bishop directed Kelly to seek assistance at the Southdown Institute, a contentious therapy center near Toronto known for treating various issues among priests for decades.
Now, these letters, found in Kelly’s files at the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Grand Falls, are central to an unusual legal move in central Newfoundland. Guardian Insurance is seeking a Norwich order to compel the Southdown Institute to release its records on Kelly from 1970.
The insurance provider believes these records may indicate that the church was aware of Kelly’s risk to children before obtaining an insurance policy in the 1980s. This information could lead to further legal action where Guardian would aim to exclude coverage for Kelly’s abuses during the policy period due to non-disclosure or misrepresentation.
In a lawsuit filed in 2022, Kelly faces accusations of sexual abuse in Gander, with the plaintiff alleging forced sexual acts during their childhood. Kelly was previously convicted of assaulting two 12-year-old boys in the mid-1980s, leading to legal consequences.
The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Grand Falls, overseeing various church locations, including Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor, appointed Kelly in 1955. Despite the lack of clarity on when he moved to Baie Verte, subsequent correspondence between Bishop O’Neill and the Southdown Institute shed light on Kelly’s situation, highlighting concerns about his behavior and alcohol-related issues.
The court filing aims to unravel the mystery surrounding the Winter Commission report, where Kelly was among the clergy facing criminal charges in the late 1980s. The report revealed a history of misconduct dating back to the mid-1970s, with allegations of inappropriate interactions involving priests from the Diocese of Grand Falls being referred to the Southdown Institute.
Guardian Insurance is seeking access to records related to Kelly and another unnamed priest, believing that this information is crucial for their coverage investigation. The Winter Commission report also indicated a pattern of Newfoundland priests being sent to Southdown for various behavioral issues, including inappropriate relationships with minors.
The Southdown Institute continues to provide mental health services to clergy and individuals focusing on faith and spirituality. Legal proceedings involving Guardian Insurance, Southdown, and the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Grand Falls are ongoing, with a scheduled court hearing in January 2027.