Father Jean-Level Eliscard
Diocese of Trenton
Ordained: 1992
Arrested: 1994
Probation: 1995
Transfer to Archdiocese of Montreal (Canada): 200
Assigned as follows:
- 1992: Diocese of Les Cayes (Les Cayes, Haiti)
- 2002: Saint Alexandre Roman Catholic Church (St. Alexandre-d-Iberville, Quebec)
- 2003-2004: Diocese of Montreal, Hospital Chaplain (Montreal)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Jean-Level Eliscard:
In 1995, the arrest of Haitian priest Fr. Jean-Level Eliscard stirred the support of the Diocese of Trenton Haitian community against Eliscard's charges of raping a 13-year-old parishioner in her home. Eliscard was on a three-month stay in the United States at the time of the assault.
It is unclear from media accounts of the story if Eliscard was assigned to the Diocese of Trenton at the time of the sexual assault.
According to media reports, during law enforcement's criminal investigation into the allegations, Eliscard attempted to flee the country for his native Haiti. He was arrested trying to board an international flight at JFK airport.
Eliscard was eventually found guilty of the charges despite his protestations of innocence. The judge barred Eliscard from contacting the victim or the family upon release and faced three-year probation to be served in Haiti. The agreed arrangement allowed Eliscard to return to his native country but only under the supervision of the Bishop of Haiti.
According to media reports, some years later, in 2003, the Archdiocese of Montreal hired Eliscard as a hospital chaplain. Montreal officials claim that neither the Bishop of Cayes (Haiti) nor the Bishop of Trenton, informed them of Eliscard's arrest and conviction.
A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Montreal told the public that Eliscard had been recommended for the position of hospital chaplain by the Bishop of Cayes himself. In 2004, a tip from the Dallas Morning News notified the Archdiocese of Montreal of Eliscard's criminal past to which they responded by promptly removing Eliscard from their ranks.
Eliscard's current whereabouts are unknown but he is believed to be residing in Haiti, where he may still be working as a priest.
His name does NOT appear on the Diocese of Trenton's February 2019 list of credibly accused priests.
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