Father Brian Boucher pleads guilty to sexual abuse charges, Archdiocese responds
The Archdiocese of Montreal responds to the guilty plea that Fr. Brian Boucherentered today at the beginning of his second trial on sexual abuse charges involving a minor, two weeks after a first trial had found him guilty on similar charges.
With this plea, the victims are able to continue the difficult process of healing according to their own needs and out of the glare of the public.
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Once again, the Archdiocese of Montreal must laud the courage of the two victims who met both with diocesan authorities and with the police to share what they had experienced, which led to the criminal proceedings. The abusive behaviour they described is deplorable.
“It’s a scandal that is a source of tremendous sadness. It stands in complete opposition to Jesus Christ and his Church,” states Archbishop Christian Lépine, currently in Panama for World Youth Day, an international gathering with Pope Francis.
“We are of one heart with the victims, their families, their parish communities in their pain and suffering. Your pain is our pain,” the Archbishop adds. “We will never accept that such crimes be committed and remain concealed.”
The Archdiocese wants to assure all Catholics and the general public that anyone coming forth with allegations of abuse will be received openly and listened to carefully. Protocols are in place to receive complaints. The public is urged to contact diocesan authorities through two confidential means: telephone, 514-925-4321 or by email, [email protected].
