Chaplain Charged in Sex-abuse Case

By Mike McIntyre
Winnipeg Free Press
October 18, 2014

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/chaplain-charged--in-sex-abuse-case-279655482.html

The longtime chaplain at St. Boniface Hospital has abruptly retired after being charged with a historical sexual abuse case in Saskatchewan.

Father Omer Desjardins, 82, announced he was leaving his post last month, but provided no explanation for the sudden decision. Weeks later, colleagues learned Desjardins had been arrested following a lengthy RCMP investigation.

"We were just made aware about the charges after he retired," hospital spokeswoman Helene Vrignon told the Free Press Friday.

Court records show Desjardins is accused of molesting a 12-year-old girl on one occasion in 1978 in a small community north of Saskatoon. He is facing a charge of indecent assault. Desjardins has made one court appearance and is set to resolve the matter when he appears on Oct. 23.

The now-adult victim only came forward to police earlier this year -- a decision her mother says came as a result of numerous difficulties in her life, including a deep depression.

"It's just all very sad," the mother told the Free Press on Friday. She said her daughter spoke up immediately following the abuse, but was convinced by family members, including the mother herself, to stay silent.

"Nobody in those days reported anything. It just wasn't done," she said. "And back then, priests were put on a pretty high pedestal."

The Free Press is not revealing how the victim knew Desjardins to avoid potentially identifying her.

Desjardins was ordained in 1958 and has spent much of his career working in Manitoba, with stints at churches in St. Norbert, St. Francois Xavier and Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Winnipeg.

He became the chaplain at St. Boniface Hospital in 1988 following a two-year stint at the Misericordia. Vrignon said there are no other investigations ongoing as far as she knows.

Desjardins has continued living in Winnipeg free on bail since his arrest with strict conditions including having no contact with the victim or any children under the age of 16.