CANADA
Winnipeg Free Press

By: Mike McIntyre

An elderly, defrocked Catholic priest is facing a lengthy prison sentence after admitting to years of sexual abuse against three young Winnipeg boys he took under his care.

Father Ronald Léger, 77, the former pastor of Holy Family Parish on Archibald Street, pleaded guilty Monday to sexual assault and sexual interference. It was a surprise move. Léger had been arrested months earlier and was expected to make a routine court appearance.

Sentencing isn’t expected to be held until early 2016 to allow Léger, who is out on bail, to finish an treatment program.

“He’s presently in a therapeutic setting,” defence lawyer Saul Simmonds said.

But that freedom has an expiry date, as Crown and defence lawyers said Léger will be receiving a “significant incarceratory period” under a joint recommendation they expect to make.

Léger was arrested earlier this year after the victims…