Priest Will Return to Court April 28, by Michel Thibault, Le Soleil, March 23, 2008

Priest Will Return to Court April 28

By Michel Thibault
Le Soleil
March 23, 2008

http://www.hebdos.net/lsc/edition132008/articles.asp?article_id=203129

A priest from Sainte-Martine accused of sexual aggression is expected to return to court April 28 to undergo a preliminary hearing.

Father Denis Tremblay

At this stage in the judicial procedure the tribunal must determine whether the evidence is sufficient to move forward.

Priest Denis Tremblay was arrested last December 10, in Sainte-Martine. The 70-year-old man is facing charges of sexual aggression, gross indecency and indecent exposure. The alleged acts committed against a single individual are purported to have taken place between 1968 and 2007.

While waiting for the procedural outcome the priest has been relieved of his former duties and responsibilities. "Since his arrest last December, he has withdrawn completely from all public ministries, in Sainte-Martine parish and elsewhere. This situation will persist until the affair is resolved with an aquittal or condemnation at trial. This is a part of the policies of the diocese concerning situations of this nature," explains Father Richard Wallot, spokesperson for the Valleyfield diocese.

Father Tremblay is residing in the area, according to an agreement with the court. "This allows him to stay close to his family, friends, his lawyer and the numerous parishioners that continue to show their support and solidarity," Father Wallot said.