High River online
Published: Friday, 21 June 2019 06:38
Written by Russell Skeet
Calgary Priest Malcom Joseph D’Souza worked at High River’s St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church from 2016 to 2018. Sexual Assault charges against him were dropped Thursday.
Sexual assault charges have been dropped against a Calgary priest with ties to the Foothills.
Malcolm Joseph D’Souza was facing charges from alleged incidents with four women, but the Crown dropped the charges saying there was no likelihood of a conviction.
D’Souza spent time as a Pastor or Associate Pastor at Christ the King in Claresholm from 2006 to 2010 and at High River’s St. Francis de Sales and St. Andrews in Vulcan from 2016 until 2018.
The Roman Catholic Diocese in Calgary placed him on administrative leave in October of 2018 when the allegations were first made.
He remains on leave and his lawyer, Balfour Der, says his career as a priest is likely over, but he’s relieved to have this matter behind him.
Why is Father D’Souza’s lawyer saying that his client’s ‘career as a priest is likely over’?
If those women lied, then there must criminal charges which could be laid against one or all? No?
Or, failing criminal charges, Father D’Souza could surely sue the four women? No?
I have said it before and will say it again: I firmly believe that anyone who files false sex abuse charges against anyone – priest or no- should be held accountable.
No: the witnesses didn`t prosecute Father D’Souza: the Crown did.
Had the Crown wrongfully convicted him; which is not the case here; Father D`Souza could have applied for remedies. There`s no suggestion, not even from the defence, of perjury either.