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	Ontario Priest Accused in Assaults By Anthony Dixon CNews June 6, 2009 http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Crime/2009/06/06/9698641-sun.html Ottawa Valley pastor turns self in over alleged incidents dating back to 1977 A well-known local Roman Catholic priest has been accused of sexually assaulting three victims. Twenty-five years to the day after his ordination as a priest, Monsignor Robert Borne, 60, was charged by the Ontario Provincial Police, Renfrew County Crime Unit, for incidents alleged to have occurred between 1977 and 1995. The charges were laid on April 20 of this year. Monsignor Borne, a native of Pembroke, was charged with two counts each of gross indecency, indecent assault and breach of trust in relation to three victims. He was arrested yesterday when he turned himself in at the Renfrew detachment. He has been released on conditions and is to appear in Pembroke court on July 7. Sgt. Kristine Rae, OPP Eastern Region Community Services/Media Relations co-ordinator, said there had been an outstanding warrant for Msgr. Borne's arrest since the charges were laid in April. She said in the interim, he "... wasn't in an area where he could be arrested." Late yesterday afternoon, Bishop Michael Mulhall of the Diocese of Pembroke, issued a statement concerning the charges brought against Msgr. Borne. "As Bishop of the Diocese of Pembroke, I wish to express my deep concern, and that of the diocese, for the people who have brought forth allegations against Msgr. Borne. Our commitment is to work in an open and co-operative way with the civil authorities as they endeavour to unfold the truth. Many persons are deeply troubled by these events and we will do all we can to express a spirit of honesty and compassion to all concerned. Our mission as a church is to build a supportive community. We wish to allow this mandate to inspire us as to how we can assist all persons affected by these matters," he said in the statement. ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE In 2003, Msgr. Borne became pastor of St. James Parish in Eganville, and Nativity of Our Lady Mission in Golden Lake. On September 1, 2004 he was appointed priest coordinator of St. Ann Parish, Cormac with particular responsibility for the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Ann, Cormac. According to Pembroke Diocese spokesman Bruce Pappin, Msgr. Borne was transferred to the diocese office in September 2008, and assigned administrative duties. The diocese said he has not being saying mass publicly since the allegations came forward. According to police, they began their investigation in January 2008 after receiving a complaint that Msgr. Borne had sexually assaulted a then-teenage boy while visiting with Msgr. Borne. The statement issued by police said that the other victims were identified as a result of the initial investigation. Monsignor Borne was ordained on April 20, 1974. He was a curate in Mattawa between 1974 and 1975. From 1975 until 2003 he served in a number of administrative roles including chancellor of the diocese, secretary to the bishop and curate at Our Lady of Lourdes. Detective Const. Jamie Trader and Detective Const. Lori Birmingham, under the direction of the OPP Detective Inspector Jeff Bahm, Criminal Investigation Branch, are continuing their investigation.
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