Scarborough Priest Faces More Charges in Connection with Sex Assaults

By Andrew Palamarchuk
insideToronto
September 30, 2013

http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/4133130-scarborough-priest-faces-more-charges-in-connection-with-sex-assaults/

sexual assault investigation

A Scarborough priest who was charged with sexual assault on Sept. 11 now faces more charges.

On Sept. 3, a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted at All Saints Romanian Orthodox Church at 545 Danforth Rd.

A couple who entered the church interrupted the assault, police alleged.

Police arrested and charged Rev. Ioan Pop, 54, on Sept. 11.

Det. Const. Teresa Curtis of the sex crimes unit said “several complainants” came forward with allegations after police issued a news release Sept. 13.

“Earlier this morning, Rev. Pop turned himself in at 41 Division where he was arrested and charged with seven additional counts of sexual assault and one count of forcible confinement,” Curtis told reporters during a news conference Monday, Sept. 30.

“These new charges relate to offences that took place between the years 2005 and 2011 and identifies seven additional complainants all of whom are women between the ages of 24 and 43 at the time of the respective offences.”

Police allege the women were sexually assaulted either in the church or in their homes.

“I would like to encourage anyone who has had unwanted contact with Rev. Pop to come forward,” Curtis said. “We also believe that there may be individuals who witnessed some of these incidents.”

When asked about the forcible confinement charge, Curtis said “that was not at a church.”

About 100 families are members of All Saints.

In a Sept. 13 phone interview, the president of the church’s ladies’ auxiliary said Pop has been the priest at All Saints since he came to Canada about 14 years ago. “Actually he built this church, of course with the help of the community, but he was always working hard,” Magda Popescu said.

Popescu described Pop as a “very good priest” who kept the community together. “Everyone is shocked,” she said. “I don’t know what to believe now...I hope that the truth will come out.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Curtis or Det. Const. Pasquale Alberga at 416-808-7474 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).