ARCHDIOCESE OF OTTAWA
1247 Kilborn Place, Ottawa ON K1H 6K9 Tel 613-738-5025 Fax 613-738-0130
www.CatholicOttawa.ca
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, February 14, 2013
ARCHBISHOP PRENDERGAST COMMENTS ON
CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST FR. JACQUES FAUCHER
The Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Archbishop of Ottawa, on learning that Fr. Jacques Faucher, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Ottawa, has been charged with criminal misconduct in relation to a minor in the 1970’s, made the following statement:
‘On learning that Fr. Jacques Faucher has been charged with criminal misconduct in relation to a minor, I want to advise our Catholic faithful, and the wider community, that I have suspended him from all ministry and prohibited him from representing himself as a Catholic priest.
Our diocese is committed to creating a safe environment in the Church for minors and other vulnerable persons. We are also committed to a process of justice and reconciliation for the victims of clergy abuse.
During this week when we enter into the penitential season of Lent, I invite the faithful to pray with me, and to offer our penitential acts, for a process of justice and reconciliation for victims, and for the purification of the Church.’
No further comment will be made at this time.
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Media contact: Sarah Du Broy
Communications Officer 613-738-5025, ext. 238 sdubroy@archottawa.ca