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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.