Father Eric Jose Dejaeger omi (Father Erik Dejaeger / Father Eric Dejaeger)
[Scroll down for current media coverage]
(Canadian Oblate publications and the Canadian Catholic Directory spell Dejaeger`s first name with a `k`- ErikDejaeger. He refers to himself as Erik. Somehow media and court documents have him as Eric. I will identify him according to the spelling in given documents)
Oblate priest. Ordained 1978. Convicted x 2 for sex abuse of children in Baker Lake, Nunavut (formerly North West Territories). In 1995 fled Canada for his native Belgium when he was faced with a further six child sex abuse charges. These charges stem from his time in Igloolik, Nunavut (formerly North West Territories) (Both Baker Lake and Igloolik are part of the Diocese of Church-Hudson Bay.)
In 2001 an Intrepol warrant (Red Notice) was issued for Dejaeger.
This fugitive from justice was deported from Belgium 19 January 2011. He landed in Iqaluit, Nunavut 20 January 2011 and was taken directly to the Iqaluit courthouse and then to the Baffin Correctional Centre where he is currently housed in a single cell and, by personal preference, is segregating himself from the rest of the inmate populace. As of February 2012 he is facing 38 charges in Nunavut, most sex related. As of 15 December 2011 he is facing four charges from two complainants in Edmonton, Alberta.
Eric Dejaeger attends court in Iqaluit, Nunavut, 23 January 2012. This is cropped from a CBC photo
- Leaving Iqaluit courtroom (PHOTO BY CHRIS WINDEYER)
Next court date (Edmonton charges): 20 & 21 December 2012: Preliminary hearing, Edmonton, Alberta courthouse; 29 March 2012: 9 am, courtroom #265, Edmonton Alberta court house “for election and plea”; 01 March 2012: 09:00 am, courtroom #265, “for a plea,” Edmonton, Alberta, Courthouse; 25 January 2012: 9 am, court room #256 `for election and plea` Edmonton, Alberta, Courthouse; 16 December 2011: 9 am, courtroom #265, Edmonton, Alberta, Courthouse; 02 December 2011 (Edmonton court house, Edmonton, Alberta)
Next court date (Nunavut charges): 16 July 2012: to file indictment, Iqaluit courthouse. Iqaluit, Nunavut; 14 May 2012: Igaluit courthouse – to file formal indictment (held over to 16 July) ; 07 May 2012: Iqaluit courthouse – to file formal indictment (ADJOURNED); 05 March 2012: (?? is this still on?) Iqaluit courthouse – Crown applications re evidence for trial (this will run for several days – perhaps a full week); 06 February 2012: arraignment on 38 criminal charges – 1:30 pm, Iqaluit court house, Nunavut; 23 January 2012: arraignment on 38 criminal charges, Iqaluit court house, Nunavut ; 09 January 2012: Iqaluit courthouse; 20 February 2012 (Preliminary hearing scheduled for three weeks – Iqaluit court house, Nunavut); 06 June 2011 (1:30 pm. Iqaluit court house “for defence election”); 02 May 2011 (09:30 am, Iqaluit court house “for Crown election“); 14 April 2011 Iqaluit courthouse (Adjourned to 02 May); 05 April 2011 09:30 am, Iqaluit courthouse (Crown election); ;11 February 2011, afternoon, (Bail hearing); 09 February 2011, 1:30 pm, Iqaluit courthouse (bail hearing); 27 January 2011 (Bail hearing Iqaluit courthouse) ; 20 January 2011 first appearance (Iqaluit court house)
Current charges in Edmonton
15 December 2011: there are now four charges from two complainants in Edmonton, Alberta.
November 2011: charges of indecent assault and gross indecency from one complainant in Edmonton Alberta
Current Charges in Nunavut:
May 2012: 35 new charges added for a total of 74. (One May report says 77) There are 18 new complainants for a total of 39. (this doesn’t marry with previous numbers but will eventually get sorted out in court) 14 May: There may be one more complainant, in which case there would also be additional charges. In addition to most of the charges which are sex-related the charges include one of failure to appear in court, one of unlawful confinement, one of uttering threats, and three counts of use of violence to prevent reporting of suspicious activity and one of bestiality.
15 August 2011: five more charges added. The total number of charges Dejaeger now faces in Nunavut is 30. I don’t have them all, but the total now is 30.
21 March 2011: there have been a further 11 charges from five complainants. There are now a total of 11 complainants (7 male and 4 female) and 20 charges (19 sex-related and one failure to appear).
On 09 February 2011 a further charge of indecent assault was added. That charge relate to allegations of a female – all other Igloolik charges relate to allegations by males.. There are now six counts of indecent assault, three counts of buggery, and one count of failure to appear in court. There are five male complainants and one female complainant
On 24 January 2011 three new charges were added to the six of indecent assault and buggery he already faces from Igloolik. The new charges are: two of indecent assault from Igloolik and one of failure to appear for his June 1995 courtdate. According to Crown Paul Bychok “The Crown expects charges to arise in a number of Canadian jurisdictions.”
BREAKING NEWS: (Scroll down page for media coverage)
14 May 2012: Already 74 charges against pedopriest Peter(sic) Dejaeger
14 May 2012: One more charge against Dejaeger likely: Crown
14 May 2012: More charges brought forward against Dejaeger
14 May 2012: Nunavut priest makes brief court appearance on 77 criminal charges.
08 May 2012: Number of charges against priest Dejaeger doubles
08 May 2012: Accused priest misses court, faces more than 70 charges
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Documents pre Dejaeger’s return to Canada
21 July 2010: – “Wanted: DEJAEGER, ERIC JOSE (Interpol 2010)
08 May 2010: Father Eric (English translation of article in Belgian publication De Morgen. Original Flemish tex below in pdf format) 08 May 2010: De Morgen Part One (pdf) 08 May 2010: De Morgen Part 2 (pdf – scroll to second page to view Interpol warrant – English)
Mid May 2009: Father Dejaeger concelebrates at a funeral Mass in Belgium. His faculties had presumbly been revoked in 2002
22 April 2002: Dejaeger Adjudication & Disposition
22 April 2002: Warrant for Arrest of Eric Dejaeger (Nunavut)
03 May 2001: Interpol warrant (Red Notice) for Eric Dejaeger“May be dangerous”
05 July 1995: Letter to Father Erik Dejaeger in Belgium from “J.P.” in St. Boniface, Manitoba on Oblate Provincial letterhead (gives a heads up re warrant issued for Dejaeger’s arrest. J.P. is probably Father Jean-Paul Isabelle omi who is listed at the St. Boniface provincial address in 1995 and as Provincial at the same address in 1996 )
1990: Article in Inuit newspaper re sentencing of Father Eric Dejaeger on sex abuse conviction
20 April 1990:R. v. Dejaeger – Reasons for Judgement
1989 – 1991: Canadian Press articles re Father Eric Dejaeger’s 1989 & 1991 sex abuse charges
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The following information is derived from newspaper articles (see 1990 above) , a court document (see R. v. Dejaeger above), the Canadian Catholic Church Directory (CCCD), personal phone calls, a translation from the Belgian publication, De Morgen (see “Father Eric” link above to English translation of o8 May 2010 article), and Canadian media.
Note that Nunavut, Canada’s largest territory, was formerly part of the North West Territories. Prior to the 01 April 1999 Nunavut Act Baker Lake and Igloolik were in the North West Territories. Iqaluit, Nunavut’s capital, was formerly known as Frobisher Bay. For simplicity’s sake, regardless of date I have referred to all locations as part of Nunavut.
According to media reports, also served in Repulse Bay and Pelly Bay
March 2012: Dejaeger’s previous lawyer for the Nunavut charges was elevated to the bench. He has retained a new lawyer, Malcolm Kempt of Iqaluit
November 2011: New charges from Edmonton, Alberta
24 January 2011: three new charges added to the original six: two of indecent assault from Igloolik, and one of failure to appear.
19 January 2011: DEPORTED (Dejaeger was deported when it became known that Dejaeger had lost his Belgian citizenship. His passport expired in 1997. He was living in Belgium illegally.)
September 2010: Belgian Foreign Affairs. Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation statement re Dejaeger’s citizenship
May 2010: living with small group ( 6 or 7) of Oblates in Blanden, near Leuven. Dejaeger’s address is known, as is the fact that he is a wanted man. No action.
Mid May 2009: – concelebrated at a funeral Mass (click here for picture)
April 2003: April 2003 edition of Oblate Communications notes that Father Erik Dejaeger will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination on 28 May 2003. Listed as “Belgium North” (http://www.omiworld.org/Informazioni.asp?L=1&I=44)
22 April 2002: Nunavut – bench warrant issued for Dejaeger’s arrest.
22 April 2002: Adjudication and Dispostion: Six charges: 3 of buggery, 3 of indecent assault against a male
22 April 2002: Warrant issued for arrest of Eric Dejaeger
27 February 2002: - Dejaeger’s Oblate provincial writes to the President of the the Interdiocesan Committee for Sexual Abuse (Belgium) and states in part:
“… you do not have the right to make this affair public, because it would harm the church and cause injustice to the Oblates”. (De Morgen)
03 May 2001: – Interpol international search warrant issued for Eric Dejaeger for ‘rape of minor, sex crimes’ – advises he “may be dangerous.” (De Morgen) Warrant is published in at least one newspaper
- (exact date unknown) Complaint against Dejaeger by young Flemish woman who made a pilgrimage to Lourdes (De Morgen). Apparently the complaint was not of a sexual nature, but rather that she identified him and was aware that he was a convicted child molester. (A newspaper published the Interpol warrant. This may have been fallout from seeing his picture in the paper) It is believed that after this or around this time he was supposedly stripped of his faculties to say public Masses and hear confessions (phone), however, in 2009 he was pictured concelebrating at a funeral Mass – Despite knowledge that he was wanted by Interpol, no action was taken.
Early 1997 – at least mid 2000: working in Lourdes, France. According to article in De Morgen (Father Eric) Dejaeger was receiving pilgrims and hearing confessions at the Lourdes Shrine. During off season for pilgrimages he stayed with the Oblates in Waregem, Belgium.
1996: Not listed in Canadian Catholic Church Directory
05 July 1995: Letter from Canadian Oblate superior addressed to Dejaeger at Processiestraat 1, Waregem, Belgium states in part:
“Dear Eric,the RCMP (Canadian police) called me this morning. There is a search warrant out for you. This means that if you were to come to Canada, you would be arrested upon arrival. They asked me where you were and I told them you were in Belgium, but that I did not know where.”
July 1995: – Warrant issued for his arrest. Belgian Oblates who gave him sanctuary – said to have been aware of his crimes by at least 1999. (De Morgen)
20 June 1995: fled the country for his native Belgium. (What was Dejaeger doing with his passport or passports? )
13 June 1995: – trial date set
19 February 1995: – charged with 6 counts of indecent assault and 3 of buggery (these charges relate to Igloolik allegations). (Why were Dejaeger’s passports not confiscated?)
1994 & 1995: address in index listed as CP 35A, RR 2. Lorrete, Manitoba, ROA OYO (Diocese of St. Boniface, Manitoba) (CCCD)
The first Homes for Growth House was in Lorrete, Manitoba. Is this the address? Was Dejaeger perhaps staying here after his incarceration? http://www.sea-of-flowers.ca/weblog/sea/archives/2004/05/17/more-about-sist.php
Also http://www.rickross.com/reference/clergy/clergy95.html
June 1991: GUILTY to sex assault 14-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy in 1988. Sentence to run concurrent to previous sentence. According to one source, served 18 months in jail.
April 1991: Dejaeger pleaded not guilty to the five charges. The Crown reduced the number of charges to two
January 1991: Five charges from two teenage victims
April 1990: GUILTY to nine offences of sexual assault and indecent assault, committed over a period of seven years in Baker Lake involving eight different victims both male and female. Charges included repeated acts of sodomy of two young boy. The sexual abuse of the boys began when they were between the ages of 8 and 12. Five year sentence.
September 1989: prior to being charged had been scheduled to take a one year sabbatical to study linguistics and the Inuit language of Inuktitut
29 August 1989: appeared in Yellowknife court –Released on bail ($85,000) (M)
- was required to deposit his Canadian and Belgian passports with Yellowknife RCMP
Seems to have been residing at the House of Growth (Homes for Growth), in Milner Ridge, Manitoba. Ordered by court to remain there until his next court appearance. The Homes for Growth, also known as Maissons du Croissance, was in part a communal living arrangement founded around 1977 by Sr. Jeanne Wilfort csc, a Sister of the Holy Cross and, according to another source, co-founded by “Winnipeg-based” Oblate Father, Raymond Beauregard,. According to one source, Wilfort was` trained in a method of therapy called “PRH” (Personality in Human Relationships)which originated in France with Father Rochais. Wilfort’s specialty “ Affectivity” which, according to one source” is supposed to be how to love and be loved, and to express oneself affectionately.” It seems Wilfert provided ‘treatment’ of some sort and was seen by herself and others as some sort of healer. The homes were supported by the Holy Cross sisters and the Oblates. In 2002 several religious sisters alleged that they and other females were sexually abused by Wilfort. A lawsuit was launched. Click here for further info re House of Growth/Homes for Growth/Sister Jeanne Wilfort csc
21 August 1989: seven charges related to allegations of sex abuse in Baker Lake, NWT (Now Nunavut) (M)
August 1989: according to media, studying linguistics in Langley, BC.
June 1989: attended a missionary meeting in Edmonton, Alberta
May (?) 1989: On advice of Bishop Rouleau moved out of Baker Lake. Apparently initially went to a religious house in Winnipeg, Manitoba
April 1989: Bishop Rouleau alleged he learned in April that Dejaeger might be charged. According to media Rouleau said he learned for someone outside the community. (M)
1985: Baker Lake (CCCD) (Diocese of Churchill-Hudson Bay, Manitoba)
1978-1981: Igloolik, Nunavut, Canada (Diocese of Churchill-Hudson Bay) ( http://www.arcticomi.ca/2igloolik.html)
1978: ORDAINED as a priest for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. – As an Oblate priest served in the missions in the Canadian Arctic.
1977: Became a Canadian Citizen (he allegedly lost his Belgian citizenship at this time because he did not apply for dual citizenship)
1977 (?): served his diaconate in Repulse Bay (Diocese of Churchill). That must have been in or about 1977 because he was ordained in 1978
Attended St. Joseph Seminary in Emonton Alberta (the seminary is connected to Newmand Theological College). I am told that Dejaeger did spend some time in seminary formation in Belgium – he was with the Oblates before his arrival in Canada. I have also been told that he spent some months at St. Paul’s, the Oblate administered seminary and university in Ottawa, Ontario. The actual years are at this time unknown.
allegations of sex abuse from Edmonton Alberta span the years 1975-1978. Those are years in which Dejaeger would have been a seminarian
1973: arrived in Canada
24 April 1947: Born in Roeselaar, Belgium’ (De Morgen)
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21 May 2012: Additional charge likely
14 May 2012: Already 74 charges against pedopriest Peter(sic) Dejaeger
14 May 2012: One more charge against Dejaeger likely: Crown
14 May 2012: Nunavut priest makes brief court appearance on 77 criminal charges.
14 May 2012: Priest facing 74 charges waives preliminary hearing
13 May 2012: Priest set to appear in person in Iqaluit court
08 May 2012: Priest to face dozens of new abuse charges in Nunavut
08 May 2012: Number of charges against priest Dejaeger doubles
08 May 2012: Accused priest misses court, faces more than 70 charges
07 May 2012: Priest to appear in Iqaluit court on sex charges
07 May 2012: BLOG Adjourned
16 March 2012: BLOG I highly doubt there will be an indictment filed
02 March 2012: Nunavut gets two new judges
06 February 2012: Dejaeger investigation continues; indictment not yet filed
23 January 2012: Kerkleiders riskeren vervolging voor bescherming pedopater (Church leaders risking prosecution for protecting pedo priest)
23 January 2012: Former priest appears in Iqaluit court on sex charges
23 January 2012: Dejaeger makes brief court appearance in Iqaluit
January 2012: Church leaders to risk prosecution for protecting pedo priest
12 January 2012: BLOG Reliable sources
11 January 2012: BLOG Frequent flier
10 January 2012: Catholic priest back in Nunavut court this month
10 January 2012: Dejaeger back in Nunavut court this month
22 November 2011: BLOG Go to police
21 November 2011: Fugitive former priest faces another sex charge
22 August 2011: Former priest faces five more charges
15 August 2011: Ex-priest faces 3 new sex charges in Nunavut
19 July 2011: The woman who took on the church, and won
13 June 2011: Bishop visits
06 June 2011: Preliminary hearing set for priest in Nunavut
29 May 2011: “Priest in custody, 16 years after charges laid” &”Priest’s return opens floodgate of memories “
20 May 2011: Letter to Editor re Bishop Reynald Roleau omi
19 May 2011: Priest’s return to face sex charges creates turmoil for complainants in North
19 May 2011: Women link up on the web to bring convicted pedophile priest back to Canada
13 May 2011: Catholic bishop travels to troubled Nunavut hamlet
21 April 2011: “Inuit victims receive therapy in their own language”
15 April 2011: New charges against priest accused of Inuit sex abuse
13 May 2011: Catholic bishop to visit troubled Nunavut hamlet
05 April 2011: Priest faces 4 new sex charges in Nunavut
04 April 2011: Catholic priest leaves Iglulik
02 April 2011: Priest flees, Igloolik RCs on their own for Easter: Father Tony Krotki threatened in wake of Dejaeger revelations
31 March 2011: BLOG A Lark!
29 March 2011: Igloolik priest leaves after being threatened
28 MArch 2011: BLOG Sick!
28 March 2011: Priest faces more sex charges in Nunavut
27 March 2011: BLOG Filling in gaps
24 March 2011: BLOG Definitely new charges
22 March 2011: BLOG Was an internal investigation conducted?
21 March 2011: BLOG More complainants
14 March 2011: Confirmed!
23 March 2011: Igloolik seeks healing at truth commission hearing
23 March 2011: BLOG Definitely new charges
22 March 2011: BLOG Was an internal investigation conducted?
07 March 2011: Priest’s alleged victims seek help in Nunavut
21 February 2011: Igloolik seeks counselling as priest faces charges
14 February 2011: Priest faces yet another sex charge
11 February 2011: Dejaeger won’t face judge until March 21
11 February 2011: BLOG All in vain
11 February 2011: BLOG Two court dates
09 February 2011: Priest faces new Nunavut sex charge
16 February 2011: A special visitor from the far north
31 January 2011: Priest faces new sex charges
28 January 2011: Dejaeger civil claims still unsettled
26 January 2011: Arctic priest faces new sex charges in Nunavut
26 January 2011: Hiding in plain sight
25 January 2011: Priest charged with more sex crimes in Nunavut
24 January 2011: Dejaeger appears in Nunavut court, faces new charges
24 January 2011: BLOG Accommodations
21 January 2011: Dejaeger Back in Nunavut
21 January 2011: BLOG Images of yesterday
21 January 2011: Dejaeger Back in Nunavut (good film footage of his arrival)
20 January 2011: Runaway Oblate priest appears in Nunavut court: Haggard-looking Dejaeger refused to leave his cell
20 January 2011: Fugitive priest arrives in Iqaluit
20 January 2011: Runaway Oblate priest appears in Nunavut court: Haggard-looking Dejaeger refused to leave his cell
20 January 2011: Priest charged with child sex offences appears in Nunavut court
20 January 2011: Priest to face sex abuse charges
20 January 2011: Fugitive priest arrives in Iqaluit.
19 January 2011: Priest returning to Inuit community to face sex charges
19 January 2011: Priest returns to Canada to face sex charges
19 January 2011: Eric Dejaeger returns to Canada from Belgium: RCMP to escort priest to Nunavut court
19 January 2011: Fugitive priest arrives in Canada
19 January 2011: Further media coverage of Dejaeger deportation
19 January 2011: Canadian priest back to face abuse charges
18 January 2011: Priest returning from Belgium to face sex charges
18 January 2011: RCMP: Dejaeger’s returning soon to Canada
18 January 2011: Canadian priest wanted on child-sex charges detained in Belgium
18 January 2011: Priest returning from Belgium to face sex charges against Inuit children
18 January 2011: Priest returning to Nunavut to face sex charges
10 January 2011: Pedophile priest arrested
06 January 2011: Canada child sex priest Eric Dejaeger held in Belgium
05 January 2011: Fugitive Canadian priest in Belgian custody
05 January 2011: Canadian priest detained in Belgium
05 January 2011: BLOG The ruse is up
05 January 2011: Belgian police arrest Father Eric Dejaeger
03 January 2011 Dejaeger was taken into custody by Belgian authorities
25 November 2010: Fugitive priest still free in Belgium
01 November 2010: Belgian priest faces sex-related charges in Iglulik
23 September 2010: Runaway Nunavut priest left few good memories
20 September 2010: Iglulik priest turns himself in (Igloolik can be spelled either Iglulik or Igloolik)
16 September 2010: Fugitive priest may be extradited to Canada
15 September 2010: Father Dejaeger’s nationality -statement by Belgian Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation
15 September 2010: Fugitive priest living in Belgium
13 September 2010: Media coverage 13 September 2010 on Father Eric Dejaeger
13 September 2010: Belgian priest wanted for Canada abuse surfaces
03 September 2010: Fifteen-year search for pedophile priest ends – with him going free
20 July 2010: The hunter
12 July 2010: BLOG Back on Interpol
31 May 2010: BLOG Recyled Oblate is a wanted man
23 February 1991: Struggling for answers; Baker Lake taking steps to combat a shocking rate of sexual abuse; Sexual abuse cases leave quiet northern community searching its soul
10 January 1991: Northern community grapples with reports of child sexual abuse
03 January 1991: Priest faces 5 sex charges
07 April 1990: Priest gets 5 years for sex assaults
29 November 1989: Second delay for sex case
07 October 1989: Warrant issued for priest accused of child molesting
31 August 1989: Priest released on bail after sex assault charges
30 August 1989: Court grants bail to priest charged in sex assaults
30 August 1989: Priest facing sex counts has bail set at $85,000
29 August 1989: Sex charges against priest shock to northern town
24 August 1989: Charges allege priest had sex with minors
(see in relation to the above: 03 October 2010: NS pedophile case deserves inquiry: group )
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An altar for the Virgin Mary is seen in front of the Paters Oblaten religious retreat, a house where Belgian priest Eric Dejaeger is living in at Blanden September 13, 2010. Dejaeger, 63, who is wanted in Canada on allegations of child sexual abuse, made contact with justice authorities in Belgium on Monday in a move that could lead to his extradition.
Oblate residence in Belgium
Note of interest: John A Scurfiled of the law firm Wolch, Pinx, Tapper, Scurfield, was retained by the Oblates to represent Dejaeger in the mid 90s. Sheldon Pinx, a partner in the firm, just got Monsignor Roger Bazin off scott free.
The Paters Oblaten religious retreat, a house where Belgian priest Eric Dejaeger is living in, is seen at Blanden September 13, 2010. Dejaeger, 63, who is wanted in Canada on allegations of child sexual abuse, made contact with justice authorities in Belgium on Monday in a move that could lead to his extradition. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir (BELGIUM - Tags: CRIME LAW RELIGION)
He is in an Iqaluit detention centre (gevangenis). He now has 26-28 charges. Most charges are for abusing Inuit children. One charge is for beastiality (sex met een hond). He is being well treated during detention. As far as I know, he is not in isolation but chooses to remain in his room most of the time. His return from Belgium – he was expelled – was the result of diligent work by Lieve Halsberghe and a team of amazing Belgian journalists as well as Sylvia, the host of this site. It is an example of superb use of technology – the internet.
Has anyone heard what happened in court today?
Article today…….he is going to sit in jail and try to lessen his sentence…now thats a real honourable person..Sit there until Ferbruary 2012.
A preliminary hearing will take place next year for Eric Dejaeger, a former Roman Catholic priest accused of sex crimes against children in Nunavut in the late-1970s and 1980s.
Eric Dejaeger, right, is escorted out of the Iqaluit courthouse on Jan. 20, shortly after he was brought back to Canada from Belgium. He remains in custody at the Baffin Correctional Centre.(CBC)
Three weeks have been set aside for the preliminary hearing, which will start on Feb. 20, 2012, the Nunavut Court of Justice confirmed Monday in Iqaluit.
Dejaeger, now 64, faces more than 30 criminal charges — including indecent assault and buggery — from multiple complainants who claim he abused them when they were children in Igloolik, Nunavut.
The alleged offences took place between 1978 and 1982, when Dejaeger was serving as a missionary in the eastern Arctic community.
A Canadian citizen, Dejaeger fled to Belgium around 1995, after he had served a jail term in Canada for sex crimes against children in another Nunavut community, Baker Lake.
Dejaeger lived freely in Belgium, his country of birth, for almost 16 years until January, when Belgian immigration officials declared that he had overstayed his legal residency in that country.
Since Dejaeger was brought back to Canada on Jan. 19, he has been remanded at the Baffin Correctional Centre in Iqaluit.
During Monday’s court hearing, defence lawyers confirmed that Dejaeger has waived his right to a bail review, meaning he will remain in custody until the preliminary hearing begins.
Thanks Michel. I now have it posted: http://www.theinquiry.ca/wordpress/charged/dejaeger-2/preliminary-hearing-set-for-priest-in-nunavut/
I guess this means he’s denying the allegations?
Not necessarily all the allegations, if i remember correctly a preliminary hearing is the discovery of information agreed upon. The crown and defence may agree on information in disclosure and then those informaton not agreed upon goes on to trial. End result may be plea of guilt to some of the charges and then contesting of others..What I don’t like however, is that he sits and if found guilty gets credit of half a day over and above his sentence for his days in waiting. The kids in Igloolik who have allegedly been subject to his abuse however don’t get credit for waiting 16 years for their day to have their allegations tested despite the hardship that was created for them, their families and their community.
The preliminary hearing is to determine if there is sufficient evidence to go to trial. True some charges can be whittled away in the process, but that can be done apart from a preliminary hearing.
Congratulations, Sylvia on being honoured at the Annual Beyond Borders Media Awards (21 November 2011, Winnipeg, Manitoba) where you will bring the
Keynote Address: “Bringing a Pedophile to Justice” re the teamwork which brought an end to Father Eric Dejaeger’s days as a fugitive from justice in Canada
Mike McIntyre (Winnipeg Free Press and national radio program) is a former recipient. He may be there and perhaps could add to the coverage given this important award and this important event. I will be in Nunavut during that time, otherwise I would be tempted to travel to Winnipeg to attend this. I am so proud to know you and your unfailing efforts to address this issue. You are a class act!!
Yes, indeed, congratulations. It is so easy to think good work is mostly ignored. This shows it is not. It will lead to an opportunity to be more read, better listened to, and thus having a greater effect on getting better solutions to these perlexing cases. You will not run out of the opportunities to do so for a good long time.
Thank you Lona and 1 abandoned sheep.
Doesn’t life take the strangest twists and turns?
I’m not giving the Keynote Address Lona
I think maybe that’s what you think? If that’s the case, Heavens no. That task belongs to Beyond Borders co-founder Mark Hecht who, I know, will do a fantastic a job of telling the sordid tale of how our fugitive-molester-Oblate priest somehow managed to high-tail it out of Canada to elude justice, etc etc etc. I am truly looking forward to his address.
And, in all of this slowly but surely the message will get out that, thanks to the wonders of the internet and the blogosphere ……they can run but they can’t hide!
New charges out of edmonton… Thanks Lieve. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2011/11/21/edmonton-sexual-assault.html
I noticed while going over the mountain of material that he was in Repulse Bay just before ordination, I wonder if he entertained is selfish criminal obsession while in that posting…this has the makings of a serial pedophile who should be placed on an international registry and he should be considered un-treatable as he shows obsessive attraction to children. The best we could do for children after he accounts for his behaviour is to monitor closely all of his coming and goings.
I have several of the new articles posted.
Yes, Michel, he served his diaconate in Repulse Bay. He also spent time in Ottawa, Ontario.
I encourage anyone with sex abuse allegations against Eric Dejaeger to contact their local police.
Sylvia: Could Hecht’s address be posted online… Would love to read.
I will see what I can do Lona.
Next court date for Dejaeger in Edmonton is 16 December 2011: 9 am, courtroom #265. Edmonton, Alberta court house.
I just spoke to Detective Barb Clover with the Edmonton Police Service sexual assault unit. There are now two complainants with a total of four charges from Edmonton. At their request of the complainants Detective Clover does not want to identify the gender of the complainants.
The Edmonton charges will NOT be merged with those in Nunavut . Dejaeger will be tried in Edmonton on the Edmonton charges.
Dejaeger is presently in segregation, meaning he is housed with other sex offenders apart from the rest of the prison population.
Thank you, Detective Clover, for providing an update on this important northern story. So sorry there are victims elsewhere as well. Those who are coming forward are brave. Please tell them so.
Thank you from the troll
I wonder what happened today with this idiot…
I have heard nothing re Dejaeger’s court date yesterday and see nothing as yet in the news. If there is no word by next week I will at the very least find time to find out when his next court date is.
Aan alle Vlaams-taligen die de ontwikkelingen rondom Eric (oftewel Erik) DeJaeger volgen. In het afgelopen jaar, is EdJ uit Belgie naar het noorden van Canada gebracht om terecht te staan voor ongeveer 30 aanklachten. Momenteel is hij in een gevangenis in Edmonton, Alberta voor nog merdere aanklachten. In Februarie begint de recht zaak in het noorden van Canada. Ik schrijf u om u ervan te verzekeren dat EDJ niet slecht wordt behandeld. Hij krijgt genoeg te eten. Hij is niet koud. Hij wordt niet mishandeld. Er is een franstalige roomse priester in Iqaluit die zeker ook de gevangenis, Baffin Correctional Centre, bezoekt. Voor degenen die zijn gedwongen overplaatsing naar Iqaluit heeft gevolgd, hoop ik dat ik u hiermede heb gerustgesteld. Tenslotte: Veel heil en zegen in het komend jaar toegewenst aan iedereen die dit leest.
Dejaeger’s next Edmonton court date is 25 January 2012, “for election and plea”: 9 am, court room # 265 at the Edmonton court house, Edmonton, Alberta
I have info on Dejaeger which I will write up and explain as best I can shortly. For now here is the pertinent news
(1) Dejaeger was in court in Iqaluit this past Monday (09 January 2012).
(2) Dejaeger has opted NOT to have a preliminary hearing: He wants to go directly to trial. He has opted for trial by judge alone (i.e., no jury)
(3) There are a total of 37 sex related charges against Dejaeger
(4) There are a total of 21 complainants. The complainants are male and female.
(5) Of the 21 complainants one has allegations which relate to Dejaeger’s time in Baker Lake. The other 20 complainants have allegations relating to Dejaeger’s years in Igloolik
(6) In addition to the 37 sex related charges there is one charge related to Dejaeger’s failure to appear in court back in 1995. Dejaeger is, therefore, facing a total of 38 charges.
(7) The 23 January 2012 court date in Iqaluit for arraignment still stands.
(8) The 20 February 2012 date for a three-week preliminary hearing in Iqaluit is gone. There will be no preliminary hearing.
I will blog in more detail shortly
Het is nu een jaar verder. Veel heil en zegen in 2012. Er zijn nu 39 aanklachten tegen Erik Dejaeger. De aanklachten zijn voor misbruik van beide meisjes en jongens. DeJaeger zal dit jaar voor de rechter in Iqaluit komen. Hij heeft een advokaat. Er zijn ook aanklachten tegen Erik DeJaeger vanuit Edmonton, Alberta. Ik hoop dat ik u hiermede op de hoogte heb gesteld van gebeurtenissen in 2011 vis a vis Eric Dejaeger.
A very big day for my northern friends today, I am hoping that the spirit of justice and healing will rise into the hearts of those individuals involved in the journey of resolution and that you find freedom from the chains of past sorrow so that they will be cast into the depths of of the healing waters of your survivor souls and that you find peace forevermore. Be strong and be courageous young people, stand your ground and affirm your truth. Many of us stand with you !
I cropped, enlarged and posted the CBC photo from today of Dejaeger at the Iqaluit court house. That’s from the CBC article: 23 January 2012: Former priest appears in Iqaluit court on sex charges
Any news yet about the outcome of his appearance today?
I haven’t seen anything yet Michel. Hopefully there was media there so we can find out, otherwise it will be a case of finding out when the next court court date is.
Dejaeger’s next court date in Edmonton is 01 March 2012, 09:00 am, courtroom #265, “for a plea.”
Verscheidene Belgische kranten beschrijven EDJ as ‘uitgemergeld’. Kindertjes in vluchtelingenkampen zijn vaak uitgemergeld. Die beschrijving past, volgens mij, niet in het geval van EDJ. Hij is gewoonweg een oude man met een onverzorgde baard.
Hij heeft goed (warm, droog, schoon) onderdak (voor vele Inuit en First Nations is dit NIET het geval); er is – zonder enig twijfel – genoeg voeding beschikbaar. Als hij het nodig heeft, krijgt hij medische zorg.
Er zijn verschrikkelijke feiten die momenteel voor het gerecht zijn – niet aangaande de lange baard van EDJ maar aangaande vreselijke mishandeling. Geef u aan deze aanklachten aub ook uw aandacht.
The post above is telling us that Dejeager is reported in several Belgium newspapers as being very emaciated however that he is warm well fed and that he is afforded medical treatment if he requires it. The newspapers are also discussing that allegations of his crimes of abuse.
Googles translation is as follows
Several Belgian newspapers EDJ describe as ‘emaciated’. Children in refugee camps are often emaciated. That description fits, I think, not in the case of EDJ. He is simply an old man with a scraggly beard.
He did a good (hot, dry, clean) shelter (for many Inuit and First Nations, this is NOT the case), there is – without doubt – enough power available. If he needs it, he gets medical care.
There are terrible facts currently before the courts – not about the long beard of EDJ And as terrible abuse. Surrender to these charges your attention please.
Hi there,
When I saw the remark on EDJ being emaciated (“uitgemergeld”) in the article of the Belgian journal “Nieuwsblad”, I immediately wrote them to say the same: namely that Dejaeger is VERY well looked after in the Baffin correctional centre in Iqaluit and that he is certainly well fed. I do not agree with the paper because they came to the conclusion that Dejaeger had lost much weight, just by looking at the photograph on the CBC North website.
Actually, I am convinced that Dejaeger is lucky not to be in prison in Belgium, because people would not be so nice to him there. The conditions in the prisons in Belgium are very very bad.
What I did notice on the picture, was that Dejaeger has grown a long beard, just like his predecessor Frans Vande Velde, who, I am told, was liked by the Inuit. It is however, very unlikely that this new appearance will change anything about the way the Inuit feel about this man who destroyed the lives of so many.
Positive thoughts for the people involved in tomorrows court appearance. Hoping that victims do not bear undue hardship and ill feelings for themselves and that they find a sense of justice from the outcomes of this proceeding. Hoping further that honesty and respect will be afforded to the afflicted and that they need not be subject to unnecessary vicarious trauma byway of the court process. Hoping for an honourable and healing conclusion to this sordid affair of long date and that internal resolution be within reach of the victims of these alleged crimes. Peace to the community of Baker Lake and Igloolik many stand with you and are with you in the spirit care concern and compassion. Justice has been a long time coming and should not have so long in coming.
Dejaeger investigation continues; indictment not yet filed
Five-member RCMP team gathers evidence in Igloolik
NUNATSIAQ NEWS
A dedicated team of five RCMP members continues to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct in Igloolik against disgraced priest Father Eric Dejaeger, Crown prosecutor said in court in Iqaluit Feb. 6.
This means the RCMP’s investigation investigation into Dejaeger won’t be finished until a May 7 court appearance by Dejaeger in the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit, where the Crown is expected to file a formal indictment.
Dejaeger currently faces up to 39 criminal charges, most alleging the sexual molestation of children.
More charges could flow from the continuing investigation.
The list of allegations Dejaeger faces involves sex offences alleged to have occurred in Igloolik against children between 1978 and 1982.
RCMP in Igloolik originally charged Dejaeger with six counts of indecent assault in 1995.
After serving out a five-year prison sentence on convictions related to sex charges involving children in Baker Lake, Dejaeger fled Canada for Belgium in 1995 and missed a scheduled court appearance on those charges.
Police in Belgium arrested Dejaeger after Belgian authorities discovered he was living there illegally. He had given up his Belgian citizenship in 1977 to become a Canadian citizen.
Belgian officials sent him back to Canada in early 2011, when he was brought to court to face the outstanding charges.
Thanks for that 1yellowknife. I now have it posted and have updated the Legal Calendar accordingly. I wonder if this means the the 05 March date is cancelled? Hopefully there will be something about that in the news.
Does Dejaeger have court tomorrow with all this movement i am confused, the calendar has him appearing in Iqaluit
No Michel – there is NOT a hearing in Iqaluit. Tomorrow was supposed to be the start of Dejaeger’s preliminary hearing but he has opted NOT to have a preliminary hearing. I left the date on the calendar as a reminder of where things could be at. I will try to make it clearer that it is a cancelled date – if I can’t do that I will remove it.
There is nothing scheduled for 05 March 2012 in Iqaluit. Dejaeger’s next court date in Iqaluit is 07 May 2012.
Any news on the plea by Dejaeger in Edmonton ?
I have heard and see nothing Michel. It looks as thought there is no media coverage of whatever did or did not happen. I will try to find out today.
Dejaeger’s next Edmonton court date is 29 March 2012: 9 am, courtroom #265, Edmonton courthouse “for election and plea”
I can’t beleive what I’m reading , wow , another preist being charged, how many more are out there , acting out and being queer and going after little innocent childeren . I can’t help but express how sick and tired I am towards that catholic mockery what a joke , how in the hell can anybody possibly even want to have faith and support to the biggest criminal organization in the world especially to have admiration towards that freek dressed in his white bed sheet , the pope when are they going to charge him for the dirt and secrets he’s been keeping to protect his catholic empire ???
Hi there Brian: There is a difference between being a pedofile (sexually abusing kids) and being queer (same sex preference). Pedofiles are criminals who abuse children and the sexual orientation of a pedofile is not the issue. Eric de Jaeger is a good example. He abused both male and female children. I have a problem with his pedofilia. I have nothing to say about his sexual orientation. I don’t care. He is supposed to be celebate but that is also something I don’t care about. I care about his criminal actions and the immense harm he has caused. I hope that explains the difference.
Is/was Andrew Mahar EJD’s defense lawyer? If so, he just became a Nunavut judge.
Thank goodness for you keeping an eye on things iyellowknife. Yes, Andre Mahar was indeed Dejaeger’s lawyer. I recall looking up his name when it first appeared ealry last year – the one and only lawyer by name of Andrew Mahar in Iqaluiit.
I have posted the 02 March 2012 article announcing the appointment.
I am sick! This means a new defence lawyer will have to be retained – he/she will literally have to spend months wrapping his/her head around the massive Dejaeger file and numerous allegations.
Could this open the door for an eventual Charter challenge, with Dejaeger claiming that because of the appointment he lost his lawyer and therefore his right to a speedy trial has been violated? or something along those lines?
I don’t know, but I fear it might.
Potential challenge aside, has Dejaeger found and retained a new lawyer yet? And, if he has, will the new lawyer be up to snuff for the 07 May 2012 court Iqaluit court date?
Dejaeger’s next EDMONTON, Alberta court date is set for 20 & 21 December 2012 for a preliminary hearing.
Mark my words, things will be arranged in such a way as to punish the victims and alight Dejaeger’s court outcome…what a mess and a travesty for the people of Igloolik, Repulse and Baker Lake and Canada. They have not been treated like every Canadian
Nunatsiaq news http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca just published the following: Eric de Jaeger OMI has now been charged with SEVENTY OFFENSES. For those who are new to this macabre story: Sylvia demonstrated highly effective international leadership in creating awareness of this Eric’s life as a fugitive from justice, via this site.
I was just literally posting a blog on this when your comment came in 1yellowknife
I have the article posted:
More than 70 charges now! The RCMP has been busy. I commend every single soul in Nunavut who has found the courage to speak to police. Good for you! Good for you!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
It is taking a long time, but, eventually justice will be done.
I just posted CBC North coverage of yesterday’s court date:
This gives us more details, i.e:
- In Nunavut, there are 35 new charges for a total of 74.
- In Nunavut, there are 18 new complainants for a total of 39.
- The Crown is still awaiting disclosure of hundreds of pages of documents.
- The Crown and defence will probably agree to ask that these new charges be merged with the previous charges so that there is one trial in Nunavut.
- Not mentioned is that in addition to the charges in Nunavut there are four charges from two complainants in Edmonton Alberta. The Edmonton charges will be dealt with in Alberta. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 20-21 December 2012 in Edmonton.
Send us your weak, your dispossessed, your disenfranchised and we will send you a serial predatory criminal pedophile in the guise clergy.
According to CBC twitter,
(1) Dejaeger appeared in court this morning in Iqaluit;
(2) The Crown said that an indictment will be filed this summer;
(3) Dejaeger will request trial by judge and jury;
(4) Next court date in Iqaluit: 16 July
Here’s the latest:
14 May 2012: Nunavut priest makes brief court appearance on 77 criminal charges.