Elderly Ontario priest convicted of abuse dies in jail

retired Roman Catholic priest convicted of abusing dozens of girls throughout southwestern Ontario has died, the Crown attorney who prosecuted him told CBC News.
Charles Sylvestre, of Belle River, Ont., was just three months into a three-year prison term in Kingston when he died in the prison hospital late Monday, Paul Bailey said Tuesday.
The cause of death was not immediately known, but he had been suffering from dementia. Sylvestre, 84, pleaded guilty in August to indecently assaulting 47 girls between 1954 and 1986. His victims were between seven and 15 at the time of the abuse.
Support workers to help victims cope with news
Bailey said he is putting together a team of support workers to help victims cope with the news of the priest's death.
"The problem is that although it's not rational to think this way, some of the survivors may feel responsible," he told CBC News.
"Those real feelings need to be dealt with and supported, and we need to discuss the entire episode so they don't feel responsible." Officials with the Roman Catholic Diocese of London, Ont., said in a written statement that Bishop Ronald Fabbro has directed all parishes to offer special prayers for Sylvestre's victims and their families. He has also asked for prayers for Sylvestre's family.