Eganville Leader
22 September 2010
Pembroke — The judicial pre-trial of Msgr. Robert Borne is scheduled to continue on October 6.
The judicial pre-trial is a private conference with a judge, and is the next step before the actual trial will take place. One day of the judicial pre-trial was held on September 13. Following the October court date, Msgr. Borne’s lawyer and the Crown will next be in court on November 1 to set a date for the actual trial. The trial should begin in the New Year.
The judicial pre-trial is just one step in a process which began over two years when the Ontario Provincial Police began investigating the Pembroke Diocese priest after receiving a complaint that a sexual assault allegedly occurred when a then teenaged boy had visited Msgr. Borne. Charges were laid against him in April 2009 and he was arrested in June, 2009.
Originally, there were four victims and numerous charges against the priest, but Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Selkirk threw out some of the charges and other charges were withdrawn by the Crown. Now the priest is charged with four counts against two victims who were teenage boys at the time of the incidents. He faces two charges of gross indecency and two of indecent assault. The incidents are alleged to have taken place between the late 70s and early 80s.
Msgr. Borne was serving as priest at St. James the Less when the police investigation began. He was transferred to the diocese office in September 2008 and assigned to administrative duties. At present Msgr. Borne has no official role in the diocese. During his courtroom appearances he has not worn a clerical collar.
FYI
Msgr borne and bishop wingle were ordained at the same diocese and time. They worked in matawa together.bishop wingle was promoted Msgr borne was not. Bishop wingless nephews attened catholic high school.
Coincidences..