CANADA
Winnipeg Free Press
By: Mike McIntyre
Posted: 10/18/2014
The longtime chaplain at St. Boniface Hospital has abruptly retired after being charged with a historical sexual abuse case in Saskatchewan.
Father Omer Desjardins, 82, announced he was leaving his post last month, but provided no explanation for the sudden decision. Weeks later, colleagues learned Desjardins had been arrested following a lengthy RCMP investigation.
“We were just made aware about the charges after he retired,” hospital spokeswoman Hélène Vrignon told the Free Press Friday.
Court records show Desjardins is accused of molesting a 12-year-old girl on one occasion in 1978 in a small community north of Saskatoon. He is facing a charge of indecent assault. Desjardins has made one court appearance and is set to resolve the matter when he appears on Oct. 23.
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