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
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Attempt to have murder charge quashed against alleged serial killer dismissed by judge
A motion filed by the man accused of killing four Indigenous women in Winnipeg to have one of those murder charges quashed has been dismissed by the judge – weeks before the start of his trial.
Government proposes new policy for federally regulated employees to disconnect from work
In their 2024 budget, the federal government wants to amend the Canada Labour Code, so employers in federally regulated sectors will eliminate work-related communication with employees outside of scheduled hours. If implemented, this would affect roughly 500,000 across the country.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.