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	Priest Turns Himself in on Sex Charges By Gary Kean Western Star December 15, 2011 http://www.thewesternstar.com/News/Local/2011-12-15/article-2835026/Priest-turns-himself-in-on-sex-charges/1 The latest Roman Catholic priest to be accused of sexually abusing young males allegedly victimized nine boys during a 20-year period of serving western Newfoundland parishes, according to information filed with the courts. George Smith, who the documents state now lives in Truro, N.S., turned himself into the RCMP in Corner Brook on Wednesday and appeared in provincial court Wednesday morning. He has been charged with a total of 38 offences that involve nine complainants who claim they were abused by Smith between 1969 and 1989. The offences are alleged to have happened in six different communities, including Port Saunders, Corner Brook, Stephenville, St. Fintan’s, Cape St. George and Deer Lake. The charges, some of which fall under legislation that has been amended under the Criminal Code of Canada since the offences are alleged to have taken place, include 13 counts of gross indecency, 11 counts of indecent assault on a male, seven counts of sexual assault, four counts of unlawfully committing a gross indecency and three counts of unlawfully assaulting with intent to commit an indictable offence. Smith, who was suspended from his ministry in P.E.I. in May 2010 after the church there was notified a complaint had been received by the Diocese of Corner Brook, was released from police custody on conditions Wednesday. He had his next appearance in provincial court in Corner Brook scheduled for Feb. 23. Sgt. Boyd Merrill of the RCMP said the charges were the result of a 16-month investigation. “The priority for police at this time are the victims, therefore few other details will be released,” Merrill stated in a press release announcing the charges Wednesday afternoon. Bishop Peter Hundt of the Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador said news of the charges hit hard. “It’s always difficult and it brings a lot of emotions to the surface for everybody,” he said in an interview. Hundt said the diocese has co-operated with police and wants members of the public to help the RCMP with their investigation if they have information. “Any allegation of improper conduct by a priest is an extremely serious matter,” he said, reading from a statement. “The diocese has developed extensive procedures to foster a safe environment for all the members of our faith community, and has also developed a clear policy and procedure for replying to allegations of sexual misconduct.” Hundt said church officials are especially mindful of the alleged victims in this case, the latest to rock an institution that has repeatedly grappled with sex abuse involving clergy. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected by these events,” he said. One of the victims named in the court information did an interview with The Western Star in June 2010. He told the newspaper that Smith abused him when he was an altar boy at St. Columcille Roman Catholic Church in St. Fintan's where Smith served for a number of years prior to being stationed in Deer Lake. The man, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, would have been 12 to 14 years old when the abuse is alleged to have happened and believed his older brothers were victims of Smith too. The Star has not confirmed any relation, but court documents indicate there are other victims with the same surname from the same community who are alleged to have been assaulted by Smith prior to the man who was interviewed. The man, who is now in his 40s, said he has come to terms with what happened to him, although he was beaten into silence when he tried to speak up about the abuse after the first incident when he was a boy. He never filed a complaint about the abuse until after he had children of his own. "I think it took me 30-some-odd years to realize I didn't do anything wrong,” he said in 2010. “It's hard to come forward, especially when you're scared you might be the only one. But I knew in my heart that I wasn't the only one. "I made it as far as I'm concerned; I overcame it. However, it doesn't mean that I don't have scars from it ... I know what happened to me. I got nothing to be ashamed of. I was a young boy ... I've shed my tears over this."
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