Two New Brunswick Priests Removed after Allegations of Sexual Abuse

By The Canadian Press
The Starphoenix
January 2, 2013

www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Brunswick+priests+removed+after+allegations+sexual+abuse/7767121/story.html

MONCTON, N.B. - Two Roman Catholic priests in New Brunswick have been removed from working for any ministry following allegations of sexual abuse involving children.

The Archdiocese of Moncton says it made the decision after it became aware of the accusations during a reconciliation and compensation process for alleged victims of sexual abuse.

The archdiocese says on its website that Rev. Yvon Arsenault was removed from the ministry on July 4, 2012, as was Rev. Irois Despres, who has been retired since 1992.

The archdiocese, which made the announcement on the weekend, did not say why it took six months to inform the public of its decision nor whether it has referred the matter to police.

No one from the archdiocese was available for comment and Arseneault and Despres could not be reached.

RCMP Cpl. Chantal Farrah says she can't confirm if anyone is being investigated unless a charge is laid.

In its statement, the archdiocese says Archbishop Valery Vienneau asked for forgiveness from the complainants and their families.