A Timeline of Events in Nunavut Abuse Case Involving Former Priest

The Canadian Press
November 17, 2013

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/timeline+events+Nunavut+abuse+case+involving+former/9176629/story.html

IQALUIT, Nunavut - A timeline of events in the case against former priest Eric Dejaeger, who faces a trial on 76 historical sex charges in Nunavut:

June 28, 1973: Dejaeger, 26, leaves Belgium for Canada to study for the Catholic priesthood with the Oblate order. He visits several Arctic missions and stays briefly in Pelly Bay, N.W.T. (now Kugaaruk, Nunavut).

May 1974: Leaves Pelly Bay for Edmonton.

1977: Takes out Canadian citizenship and is consecrated as a deacon in Repulse Bay, Nunavut.

1978: Ordained as a priest after studies at Edmonton's Newman Theological College. Posted to Igloolik, Nunavut.

1982: Posted to Baker Lake, Nunavut.

April 1989: Asked by Oblates to leave Baker Lake.

Aug. 21, 1989: Arrested in Langley, B.C., where he is studying Inuktitut.

Dec. 19, 1989: Pleads guilty to eight counts of sexual assault and one charge of indecent assault in Baker Lake. Sentenced to five years.

June 14, 1991: Pleads guilty to two additional counts of sexual assault in Baker Lake after being charged with five. Sentences to be served concurrently.

Sept. 12, 1991: Released from Rockwood Prison, a minimum-security institution in Stony Mountain, Man. Moves to halfway house.

March 11, 1992: Granted full parole subject to conditions in effect until 1995. Enrols at University of Manitoba.

January-February 1993: RCMP begin questioning other alleged victims. New charges filed.

June 10, 1993: Dejaeger's lawyer writes to the Crown asking if another trial is needed. After some correspondence and discussion, a trial scheduled for early July is cancelled. Internal Oblate correspondence indicates "no further charges are expected."

1994: RCMP begin interviewing alleged victims in Igloolik.

Feb. 19, 1995: Dejaeger is charged with three counts of indecent assault and three counts of buggery related to his time in Igloolik.

March 26, 1995: Dejaeger writes to Oblate officials in Belgium to propose a possible return.

April 20, 1995: Oblate officials invite him to return.

June 13, 1995: Dejaeger fails to appear for a court date and an arrest warrant is issued.

June 20, 1995: Oblate officials are informed that Dejaeger is in Belgium.

July 5, 1995: Oblate officials in Belgium are informed that a Canadian arrest warrant was issued against Dejaeger. Dejaeger told by Oblates that nothing is likely to happen unless he comes to Canada.

May 3, 2001: Interpol puts Dejaeger on its red list of international arrest warrants.

June 27, 2002: RCMP issues fresh arrest warrant.

May 8, 2010: Belgian media publish story on Dejaeger living freely in Belgium despite warrants.

June 25, 2010: Interpol reissues arrest warrant.

Sept. 12, 2010: Oblates issue statement saying Dejaeger will turn himself in.

Jan. 3, 2011: Dejaeger arrested on immigration charges after journalist discovers his Belgian citizenship is no longer valid.

Jan. 19, 2011: Dejaeger returned to Canada, held in custody.

Nov. 18, 2013: Dejaeger's trial to begin.