Archdiocese apologizes after former priest pleads guilty to sex assault
Ronald Léger pleaded guilty to three sex assault charges and one charge of sexual interference
The Archdiocese of St. Boniface issued an apology Tuesday after a former priest that served at the Holy Family Parish on Winnipeg's Archibald Street pleaded guilty to sexual assault in court Monday.
Rev. Ronald Léger, 77, pleaded guilty to three sex assault charges and one charge of sexual interference when he appeared in court. The offences occurred between 1984 and 2004.
The sexual interference charge is because one of the victims was under 16 years of age.
"The Archdiocese of St. Boniface continues to express its deep sorrow to the victims who have come forward, as well as to their families and the entire parish community of Holy Family who have been affected by the acts of their former pastor," the organization's statement read.
The statement also praised the courage of the victims who had come forward, as well as those you had yet to reveal their experiences.
The archdiocese said the organization has been working closely with police since February 2014.
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"Each time the heinous crime of sex abuse is reported, victims and their families are wounded again; the vast majority of faithful priests bow their heads in shame, and sincere Catholics, Christians and people of good will, experience shock, sorrow, anger and righteous indignation," the statement said.