Quebec Priest Hit with 63 Sex Charges

By Sonia Lavoie
24 Hours
May 24, 2012

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/national/2012/05/23/19790666.html

Paul-Andre Harvey

SAGUENAY, Que. — A retired priest, already accused of molesting three children, was hit with 63 additional sex charges on Wednesday.

Paul-Andre Harvey, 75, is charged with sexual assaults against 35 children between 1963 and 1995, nearly all of whom were girls between five and 12 years of age.

Police allege the assaults occurred while Harvey worked at various parishes in and around Saguenay, about 200 km north of Quebec City.

Harvey remains free on bail and was ordered not to contact the alleged victims.

In a statement, Bishop Andre Rivest of the Diocese of Chicoutimi said his group will co-operate with the investigation.

"I would remind (the public) of the church's commitment to protect children from all forms of sexual abuse by priests, deacons or pastors," Rivest said in a statement.

He refused further comment citing the ongoing court case.