April 19, 2006

Elderly priest found not fit to stand trial

CANADA
NorthernLife.ca

A Catholic priest charged with molesting a Sudbury altar boy more than 30 years ago was found unfit to stand trial following a brief hearing late last week at the Sudbury Courthouse.

Outside the courthouse, Richard Brazeau, 52, a man who says he was sexually molested during a single incident by Father Benoit Fortier, also known as Bernard Fortier, who is now in his 90s, asked other victims of sexual abuse by priests to come forward.

Brazeau said he suffered emotional scars for many years until he finally got counselling three years ago.

Benoit's lawyer Denis Michel presented a doctor's letter to the court and assistant Crown attorney Julie Lefebvre didn't oppose Michel's request Fortier be deemed unfit to stand trial.

Posted by kshaw at April 19, 2006 01:20 PM