Another betrayal

Well. finally a little more background as to why Father Fred Olds was placed on administrative leave back in November 2016:

30 August 2017:  “Church calls for forgiveness” & related article

29 August 2017:  Archdiocese of Saint-Boniface Press Release re arrest and sentencing of Leo Coughan and references made at trial to Father Fred Olds

Leo Coughlan, church administrator at St Bernadette’s Roman Catholic Church in Windsor Park Manitoba for about 12 years while Father Olds’ was pastor  at the parish, has been convicted of stealing/embezzling in the order of $375,000.00 from the parish.

But, that’s not all…

According to news reports, Coughlan has alleged that he was “’manipulated’ and sexually abused” by Father Olds.  The allegations  emerged publicly during the trial.

There are, it seems, however, two versions of the allegations, – one from the defence, and the other from the Crown.  According to Coughlan’s lawyer, Father Olds preyed on Coughlan when Coughlan was in his late 20s.   According to the Crown, Coughlan told police when he was arrested that he had a “not non-consensual” sexual encounter with Olds. (I take it that “not non-consensual”  means consensual?)

Either way, it sounds as though there was definitely sexual interaction between the priest and Mr. Coughlan. Charges were not laid in relation to the sexual interaction, but the Archdiocese of St. Boniface has been conducting an enquiry into “certain allegations” which, according to a spokesman for the archdiocese ” had earlier been brought forward to us, in approximately July of 2016.”

The last we heard of Father Olds was that he had moved back to Hamilton, Ontario.

By the look of things:  Another mess:  Another betrayal of trust:  Another wolf in sheep’s clothing.

*****

The next court date for previously convicted molester Father George Ansel Smith is:

11 September 2017: 09:30 am, “Adjourned for Election and/or Plea,”  Stephenville Newfoundland courthouse

That’s at least four times the case has been “Adjourned for Election and/or Plea.”  One of these days ….

As I said elsewhere, word is that the Crown has been appointed judge.  That means a new Crown for the case who must get up to date.

As always, please keep the complainant in your prayers.

Enough for now,

Sylvia