Retired priest charged with sexually assaulting preteen parishioner in western Manitoba in early 1970s

An 81-year-old retired priest has been charged with rape in connection with the sexual assault of a preteen girl who was a parishioner at his western Manitoba church in the early 1970s, and police believe there may be other assault victims. 

Manitoba RCMP said a woman in her 60s reported the historic sexual assault in March 2022. 

She said she was sexually assaulted multiple times over two years by the priest while she was a parishioner at St. Elijah Romanian Orthodox Church in Lennard, Man., a small community just over 300 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, near the Saskatchewan border.

The woman was 11-12 years old at the time of the alleged assault, RCMP said in a news release Thursday. 

Police began an investigation that led officers to search historical church records, locate and contact different people, and liaise with church-related organizations to obtain investigative material.

An arrest warrant was issued for Constantin Turcoane, 81, now living in Regina, on charges of rape and sexual intercourse with a person under 14. Turcoane turned himself in to the police and has since been released from custody with a court date, RCMP said.

Darren K. Kraushaar, the lawyer representing Turcoane, told CBC his client denies the allegations against him.

In a statement emailed Thursday, Kraushaar said Turcoane will be pleading not guilty if the case proceeds to trial, but won't be providing any further comment at this time since the case is before the courts.

Worked in Manitoba for 'limited time'

RCMP Cpl. Brett Church told CBC News Turcoane worked for a "limited time" at St. Elijah in Lennard, before he was later "quickly" posted to Regina.

The Canadian Orthodox History Project website says Turcoane worked with the parish in 1970-71.

The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America website lists a priest with a Regina address named Constantin Turcoane, and indicates he is now retired.

Archpriest Alexander Rentel, chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, told CBC News in an email the church "abhors the sin of sexual misconduct."

The church has fully co-operated with the RCMP in the investigation into Turcoane, but doesn't have any further comment at this time, he said.

A spokesperson for St. Elijah Romanian Orthodox Church told CBC News via email they won't comment at this time due to the ongoing investigation, the nature of the allegations and "out of respect of the victim."

Cpl. Church said police have interviewed some witnesses and the woman who made the complaint, but believe there may be more victims.

"We're looking for more witnesses at the time, more survivors. It's been 50 years, [so] it's been difficult to find people. They've moved around, some are now deceased," Church said. 

"But we're hoping, with these media releases, more will come forward and just simply call us."

RCMP are asking anyone who may have information to contact the RCMP detachment in Russell, Man., at 204-773-2675.

For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. ​​If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.