Saskatoon Catholic diocese releases information on historical sexual assault, misconduct cases
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon is releasing new details concerning cases involving sexual abuse and misconduct by priests and church staff.
In March of last year, the diocese committed to reviewing these types of files as part of its “safeguarding action plan.”
An independent review committee has only looked at concluded cases.
A case is concluded when “all available investigative avenues have been pursued,” according to the diocese. It may involve criminal charges, internal discipline or a file being concluded due to insufficient evidence.
The committee found a total of nine concluded cases, with seven priests committing serious misconduct or sexual abuse.
According to the diocese, there are ten known victims in these cases — including a boy under the age of 13.
The nine files range from a parish employee allegedly accessing pornography in church, to the William Hodgson Marshall case.
Marshall committed serious misconduct involving two teen boys while teaching at St. Paul’s High School. In 2011, he was convicted for abusing 17 people in Ontario. In 2012, he was convicted for assaulting the two Saskatoon boys — who came forward as adults.
The review process did not involve any residential schools, as there were no residential schools located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
In a video posted to YouTube, Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen apologized for the cases and the church’s role in residential schools.
“I again express my profound sorrow and I apologize for what you have suffered, and for the betrayal, violation, and abandonment you have experienced,” Hagemoen said.
Outside St. Paul Co-Cathedral downtown Saskatoon, a sign was posted on the doors saying, “We are sorry.”
Red paint was put over the word “sorry” and the sign was defaced with messages saying, “Sorry doesn’t cut it.”
“I recognize that both individual and institutional change must happen in our Church to move forward. Words must be accompanied by substantial actions, and trust must be earned, not merely granted,” Hagemoen said in the video.
The diocese declined a request for an interview from CTV News.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.