Trial Begins for Priest Facing Sex Abuse Charges

CTV
December 10, 2012

http://www.ctvvancouverisland.ca/2012/12/trial-begins-for-priest-facing-sex-abuse-charges/

The trial of former Catholic priest, Phil Jacobs, began Monday.

Jacobs was arrested at Victoria International Airport in August 2010 and charged with one count of sexual assault, two counts of sexual interference, and one count of sexual exploitation.

The accusations date back to 1996 when Jacobs began serving as a priest in Victoria. The charges involve three Greater Victoria children under the age of fourteen.

On Monday, former Victoria Chancellor Monsignor Michael Lappiere testified that the Catholic Diocese of Victoria was fully aware of Jacobs’ history. A past that included misconduct allegations filed against Jacobs that dated back to his time at a church in Columbus, Ohio.

Even with the allegations, Lapierre told the court Jacobs had appealing credentials including a doctorate.

In 1995 Jacobs was put on administrate duties at St. Rose of Lima church in Sooke before being reassigned to St. Joseph the Worker church in Saanich in 1998.

A former principal at St. Joseph the Worker school also took the stand Monday.