Retired priest from the Chicoutimi diocese avoids trial
CBC News Posted: Jun 16, 2015 4:10 PM ET Last Updated: Jun 16, 2015 4:15 PM ET
Accusations against the Catholic priest surfaced in 2012, ten years after he retired. (Radio Canada)Retired Catholic priest Paul-André Harvey pleaded guilty in a Chicoutimi court on Tuesday to sexual offences involving approximately 40 victims.
The 78-year-old man from the diocese of Chicoutimi admitted to committing the acts over a span of four decades. Most victims were between the ages of six and 12.
He pleaded guilty to nearly 40 charges.
Ten witnesses and victims were expected to testify today. Some people asked for the publication ban applied to their testimony be lifted so they could publicly share their experiences.
The first complaints against Harvey were made public in January 2012.