Victim alleges abuse took place here and in Soo

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The Windsor Star

Priest, 87, living in Toronto residence

Windsor lawyer Andrew Bradie has been retained by a Basilian priest charged with sexually abusing a child in Windsor more than two decades ago.

Rev. William Hodgson Marshall, 87, who is facing one count of indecent assault for alleged abuse of a boy between 1981 and 1985, travelled to Windsor this week to be fingerprinted.

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Bradie said he will appear for Marshall when his case is in court for the first time June 2.

Rev. Thomas Rosica, spokesman for the Basilian Fathers, said Marshall is living in Toronto in a residence for retired priests.

The alleged abuse took place in Windsor and Sault Ste. Marie, according to Windsor police Insp. Randy Gould.

The Basilian Fathers, a congregation of priests within the Catholic church, this week revealed that Marshall is facing allegations related to his "ministerial assignment" in Windsor.

Marshall was the first principal of Holy Names high school when it opened in 1986.

He retired in 1993 and moved to the Caribbean where he performed missionary work in St. Lucia. He retired in 1997.

Joseph Berthiaume, director of the Catholic school board, said Friday he wasn't sure where in Windsor Marshall was teaching when the alleged abuse occurred.

Although the allegations are dated, Berthiaume said he is troubled by any accusation against a Catholic educator. "I'm saddened to hear this news," he said.

"As you know, we've been dealing with these kinds of things for the past few years. We will work in co-operation with any type of investigation that goes on, and we feel for victims."

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