Retired Catholic priest in P.E.I. sentenced to 5 years in prison for 1980s child sexual abuse | CBC News
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WARNING: This story contains disturbing descriptions of child sex abuse. Resources and supports for anyone who has experienced sexual violence can be found at the bottom of this story.
A retired Catholic priest in Prince Edward Island who pleaded guilty last year to sexually abusing a child in the late 1980s at St. Margaret’s Parish has been sentenced to five years in a federal prison.
Brendon Earl Gallant, 80, was sentenced Tuesday in provincial court in Charlottetown. He pleaded guilty last summer to a charge of sexual assault.
The court heard the victim was 12 years old when Gallant took an interest in the child and began inviting him for sleepovers, where he would give the boy alcohol and invite him to sleep in his bed.
“I just want to say from the bottom of my heart I am truly sorry,” Gallant told the court before sentencing.
Gallant met the victim in the summer of 1988 while serving as a priest at the northeastern P.E.I. parish.
According to an agreed statement of facts, the child was particularly vulnerable at the time as his mother had been diagnosed with cancer.
Gallant invited the boy for overnight stays on several occasions. Despite other beds being available, the two slept in the same bed.
The abuse included fondling the boy’s body and genitals. The victim recalled one occasion when he woke up feeling sore, went to the bathroom and found blood in the toilet. He believes there was an attempt at penetrative sex.
In a police interview, Gallant admitted he had invited the boy into his bed with the intent of having sex during the initial visit, though he denied that the abuse happened.
The victim came forward in 2023. Gallant was arrested in March 2025, and the RCMP laid charges two months later. Court documents described him as “emotional and remorseful” at the time of his arrest.
Gallant will be subject to several conditions following his release.
He is prohibited from being within two kilometres of where the victim lives or works.
He is also barred for 10 years from attending public parks, swimming areas, school grounds, daycares, community centres or any other places where children under 16 are present or could reasonably be expected to be.
He is prohibited from going within two kilometers of any place of education and cannot accept any employment that would place him in a position of trust.
As a registered sex offender, Gallant must report to a registration centre within seven days of his release and continue reporting for 20 years. Authorities will track details including his address and whereabouts. Failure to comply could result in new criminal charges.
Gallant is also subject to restrictions on weapon possession. A DNA order requires him to provide a sample for the national DNA databank.
During the course of his career, Gallant served as a priest in more than a dozen parishes across Prince Edward Island.
His postings included Catholic churches in Cardigan, Little Pond, St. Georges, Georgetown, Souris, Charlottetown, Glenwood, Brae, Alberton, Bloomfield, Foxley River, St. Charles and Burton. He retired in 2018 after his final posting in Tignish.
The Diocese of Charlottetown has apologized for Gallant’s actions and said he was removed from active ministry as soon as the diocese learned of the investigation.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence here’s where to get help: