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	Priest Suspended in Wake of Sex-Related Charges CBC News [Canada] March 9, 2007 http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2007/03/09/priest-charge.html A Roman Catholic priest in southern Newfoundland has been suspended from pastoral duties, after being charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation. RCMP officers on the Burin Peninsula arrested Wayne Gerard Dohey, 44, in Placentia, where he works. Dohey was charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual exploitation during an appearance in provincial court in St. John's on Thursday. He was released on his own recognizance. St. John's Archbishop Brendan O'Brien said Friday that Dohey has been placed on administrative duties, pending the outcome of the charges against him. The RCMP said the case involved "sexual misconduct with a young person between 1996 and 2000." O'Brien said church officials learned of a complaint of sexual abuse in 2001, and dealt with it internally because the young woman at the time did not want to go to the police. O'Brien told CBC News that the church has handled Dohey's case very carefully, and appropriately. The woman was offered counselling. "The person who made the complaint was an adult at the time and, you know, it's up to them to report it. If it involved a child, then we would report it," O'Brien said. Dohey was also offered counselling, and was later assigned to Bell Island. Last fall, he began work with churches in the Placentia area. O'Brien said churches in both places were told about the complaint. Nonetheless, parishioner Ian Walsh — who sings in the choir in Placentia — said he knew nothing of the allegations until Friday. "Surprised, shocked — [they] are probably a couple of words that would come to my mind," said Walsh, who disagreed with suspending Dohey. He said that would drive people from the church. "I sincerely hope that they leave him here. He's done a lot of good. I believe it would be a negative signal to the parishioners." O'Brien said the church is standing by its decision. Meanwhile, Dohey is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Grand Bank on May 2. A publication ban has been put in place to protect the identity of the complainant. RCMP say their investigation is ongoing.
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