Priest Investigated, Sent Back to India

By Ben Proulx
Sherwood Park News
April 21, 2016

A priest withdrawn from duty and sent back to India — after an RCMP investigation that netted no charges — was being investigated for allegations of undisclosed abuse, the Archdiocese of Edmonton has confirmed.

Parishioners at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Fort Saskatchewan, just north of Strathcona County, were told on March 19 that Father Ashok Mascarenhas — who had been with the church since 2013 — has been withdrawn from service at the church, after complaints spurred an RCMP investigation.

“The Archdiocese of Edmonton was informed this week by the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP that their investigation into complaints made against Fr. Ashok Mascarenhas has concluded, and that no criminal charges will be laid,” reads the letter to parishioners, sent by Lorraine Turchansky, director of communications and public relations of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton.

“Nevertheless, the Archbishop has determined that there was not full adherence to the code of ministerial conduct expected of all ministers of the Gospel.

“For this reason, the decision to remove Fr. Ashok from priestly ministry in the Archdiocese of Edmonton remains in effect. He has returned to his native India, where he is under the care of his religious community.”