Diocesan Priests Removed From Ministry

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Archdiocese of Moncton New Brunswick website

30 December 2012

The Archdiocese of Moncton has removed two Diocesan priests from any ministry whatsoever following allegations of serious sexual abuse on minors.

They are Rev. Yvon Arsenault, removed from ministry as of July 4, 2012, and Irois Després, retired since 1992.

The Honorable Michel Bastarache brought these allegations to the attention of the archdiocese, while maintaining the confidentiality of the victims. The allegations were made before Mr. Bastarache during the archdiocese’s independent reconciliation and compensation process for victims of sexual abuse.

In a statement read in all Diocesan churches during the weekend, the Most Reverend Valéry Vienneau, archbishop of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Moncton asked « forgiveness from the victims and their families ».

Referring to the reconciliation process, Archbishop Vienneau added « we fully support the process instigated by Mr. Michel Bastarache for the victims and we pledge to be vigilant to ensure that anyone working in the Church fully complies with the policies in place to prevent abuse of any kind ». (December 30, 2012)

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