Archbishop Prendergast Comments on Criminal Charges against Fr. Jacques Faucher

By Terrence Prendergast
Edmonton Journal
February 14, 2013

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Archbishop+Prendergast+comments+criminal+charges+against/7964633/story.html

The Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Archbishop of Ottawa, on learning that Fr. Jacques Faucher, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Ottawa, has been charged with criminal misconduct in relation to a minor in the 1970’s, made the following statement:

“On learning that Fr. Jacques Faucher has been charged with criminal misconduct in relation to a minor, I want to advise our Catholic faithful, and the wider community, that I have suspended him from all ministry and prohibited him from representing himself as a Catholic priest.

Our diocese is committed to creating a safe environment in the Church for minors and other vulnerable persons. We are also committed to a process of justice and reconciliation for

the victims of clergy abuse.

During this week when we enter into the penitential season of Lent, I invite the faithful to pray with me, and to offer our penitential acts, for a process of justice and reconciliation for victims, and for the purification of the Church.”

No further comment will be made at this time.