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	Retired Area Priest Charged with Sexually Abusing Two Boys By Trevor Wilhelm Windsor Star March 2, 2010 http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Retired+area+priest+charged+with+sexually+abusing+boys/2630983/story.html CANADA -- A four-month investigation has led to the arrest of a retired Windsor priest for the alleged decade-long sexual abuse of two young boys. Chatham-Kent Police said the abuse began at Our Lady of Victory Church in Chatham when the victims were under 12 years old. It lasted a decade until the priest left the parish in 1973, police said. Spokesman Mark Adkinson urged parishioners not to lose faith in the wake of the most recent priest sex abuse scandal to hit the London diocese. "We realize that it's not an easy thing for people to hear about in their parishes," Adkinson said. "We just want to emphasize this is a tiny minority of priests. The majority are good holy men who are serving the people in the best way they can. We want to tell people not to be discouraged in their faith." Piotr (Peter) Sanczenko, 83, who worked for decades in Windsor and still lives here, is charged with two counts of indecent assault. Police said Canada no longer has a charge of indecent assault on the books, but they laid it in this case to reflect the wording of the Criminal Code at the time of the alleged offences. Chatham-Kent's major crime unit started investigating after an alleged victim came forward to police in November. That person told investigators he thought he knew of another person who had suffered abuse. Investigators later interviewed that second alleged victim. Police offered no details about the nature of the abuse, except to say there were "various incidents." Sanczenko was ordained in 1954. His assignments included Our Lady of Czestowchowa in London from 1954 to 1963 and 1973 to 1983, Holy Trinity in Windsor from 1963 to 1964 and Our Lady of Victory in Chatham from 1964 to 1973. He returned to Holy Trinity in Windsor from 1983 to 2003, and also served at St. Michael in Windsor from 2000 to 2003. He stayed in Windsor after retiring in 2003. In a written statement, the diocese said it was "saddened" by news of Sanczenko's arrest, but added "these are only allegations of improper conduct." Adkinson added in an interview that the diocese has no knowledge of any other allegations against the retired priest. "These are the only allegations we've ever received regarding Father Sanczenko," he said. Adkinson said police made the diocese aware an investigation was underway, and church officials gave their full co-operation. But they only heard Monday morning police had made an arrest. "We're just getting word out to the parishes now and taking things one step at a time," he said in an interview. Adkinson, who talked with at least one member of a church where Sanczenko has served, said the news has stunned parishioners. "She said it's just unbelievable," he said. "She just can't believe it." Following a string of high-profile cases -- including that of Rev. Charles Sylvestre who confessed to abusing 47 girls before dying in prison -- the diocese implemented several measures to stop abuse in the church. The diocese has had a sexual abuse policy since 1989, which it has repeatedly updated. Recent additions include a "two deep" rule, where a child or vulnerable person can't be alone in a room with a priest or diocese employee. Another policy requires windows or clear openings in all meeting places in parishes, from offices to confessionals. "Any space that could be used as a meeting space," Adkinson. "It's another step in terms of transparency and accountability. We've even put that into effect at the offices here at the chancery here as well. " Police said they continue to investigate and want to hear from other victims, if there are any. If you have information about this case, you can call the Chatham-Kent major crime unit at 519-436-6616 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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