By Tony Spears
Ottawa Citizen
August 24, 2009
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Jailed+Pembroke+priest+dismissed+church/1924303/story.html
OTTAWA — A Pembroke priest convicted of molesting 13 young boys over a 20-year period has been booted from the Catholic priesthood.
Convicted in January 2008 of sexual misconduct and now serving a four-year sentence in a federal penitentiary, Msgr. Bernard Prince was dismissed from the clerical state and dispensed from all priestly obligations as of May 4, 2009.
 |
| Bernard Prince was convicted in January 2008 of sexual assault. The former Catholic priest has been relieved of all duties by church. Photo by Mike Carroccetto |
Pope Benedict XVI issued the decree through the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a 23-member body dedicated to promoting and safeguarding Catholic faith and doctrine.
The decision means Prince, 73, is no longer a Catholic priest.
"He has had his rights and privileges removed. He is no longer Msgr. Prince, he is Mr. Prince," said Bruce Pappin, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pembroke.
Although the decision removing Prince from the priesthood was made in May, Pappin said priests in the Pembroke diocese only learned of the outcome last Friday. Pappin said Prince would have had to have been notified of the decision before the information was released publicly.
The London, Ont.-based lawyer representing 11 of Prince's 13 victims in a multimillion-dollar civil lawsuit against the former priest and the Catholic Church said the defrocking of Prince was the right decision, but long overdue.
"The question would be why wasn't it done a long time ago," said Rob Talach. "Some of the victims came forward as early as 1990."
Talach said the lawsuit, which also includes four other men not involved in the criminal allegations against Prince, is currently set for mediation.
Pappin said the Vatican's review of Prince's conduct would not have commenced until after the criminal proceedings had concluded.
Contact: aseymour@thecitizen.canwest.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.