Ottawa Priest Charged with Sexually Assaulting Boy, 14

By Joe Lofaro
The Metro
December 4, 2014

http://metronews.ca/news/ottawa/1230873/ottawa-priest-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-boy-14/

Ottawa police charged an Ottawa priest with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy at a west end church in 2008.

Father Stephen Amesse, 56, faces two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual interference.

The priest is scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon.

Police say they started investigating the priest after they received a complaint in February alleging a historical sexual assault.

Father Amesse was a pastor at the St. Patrick church on Fallowfield Road near Barrhaven.

In a statement, the Archdiocese of Ottawa said Amesse was suspended today “from all ministry” immediately following the charges.

“Archbishop Prendergast extends to the parishioners of St. Patrick’s Fallowfield, where Fr. Amesse is pastor, the assurance of his prayers and pastoral care. These are painful moments in the life of a faith community. May the parishioners know the spiritual support of our entire Catholic community,” wrote Archdiocese spokesperson, Sarah Du Broy.

“No other comment will be provided at this time.”