Fr. Joseph Marcel Lessard
Ordained: 1980
Assignments:
- 1981-1982: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Tempe, AZ (PHX)
- 1983-1985: St. Jerome, Phoenix, AZ (PHX) 1996-1998 Mercy Health Corporation, Aurora, IL (RCK)
- 1986-1987: Absent on Sick Leave 1997-2001 St. Mary’s Church, Aurora, IL (RCK)
- 1988-1990: On Duty Outside the Diocese 1998-1999 On Duty Outside the Diocese (RCK)
- 1990-1993: Mercy Health Corporation, Aurora, IL (RCK) 1999-2001 Provena Mercy Center, Aurora, IL (RCK)
- 1993-1995: On Duty Outside the Diocese, Holy Angels,
- 1996: Holy Angels Church, Aurora, IL (RCK) 2003-2019 Unknown
- 1996-2001: On Duty Outside the Diocese (PHX) Aurora, IL (RCK)
- 2002: On Leave (PHX)
Fr. Joseph Marcel Lessard was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Phoenix. In 1985, Fr. Lessard was arrested and charged for alleged sexual misconduct with a minor in Phoenix, Arizona. Fr. Lessard reached a plea agreement and was sentenced to three years’ probation. In 2001, Fr. Lessard was reportedly removed from ministry by the Diocese of Rockford and in 2002, he was subsequently removed from active ministry by the Diocese of Phoenix. In 2003, Fr. Lessard was named in a child sexual abuse lawsuit which was later settled by the Diocese of Phoenix. In 2006, the Diocese of Phoenix reportedly stated that Fr. Lessard had moved to Thailand. In 2018, Fr. Lessard was included in the Diocese of Rockford’s list of “Religious Order Priests/Brothers or Priests of another diocese, who worked within the geographical boundaries of the Rockford Diocese or were assigned in this Diocese, against whom abstantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been reported.” Fr. Lessard is also included on the Diocese of Phoenix’s list of “Diocese of Phoenix priests and deacons who have been laicized and/or removed from ministry due to sexual misconduct with a minor.” Fr. Lessard is currently believed to be living Queen Creek, Arizona. His status as a priest and whether he has access to children are unknown.