Retired priest charged in residential school investigation pleads not guilty
A 92-year-old retired priest charged in connection with an allegation of sexual abuse at a residential school in Manitoba has pleaded not guilty.
Retired Father Arthur Masse of Winnipeg was arrested at his home in June, and charged with one count of indecent assault. The charge stems from an 11-year RCMP investigation into sexual abuse allegations at the former Fort Alexander Residential School between 1968 and 1970.
RCMP previously said the investigation was spurred after police received a tip about the alleged abuse in February 2010, and alleged the incident involved a 10-year-old girl who was a student at the school.
None of the allegations have been proven in court and Masse is presumed innocent. He was released with conditions.
The retired priest's case returned to the courtroom Wednesday in Powerview, Man. Though Masse did not make a physical appearance, his lawyer, George Green, confirmed to CTV News Masse has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Outside the legion hall, where the courtroom was located, a group of First Nations leaders and community members came out to support the victims and survivors.
Among them was 63-year-old Victoria McIntosh, who has identified herself as the victim in the case.
"A lot of us were kept in the dark about the legacy of residential schools, and seeing my fellow survivors—it really gives me a lot of comfort," she said, adding she plans to follow the case 'every step of the way.'
Masse's next court case is set to be moved to Winnipeg, with the next date scheduled for Sept. 14.
Chief Derrick Henderson, chief of Sagkeeng First Nation where the Fort Alexander Residential School was located, was also among those who gathered outside the hall Wednesday. He said the First Nation is providing community supports to McIntosh and other survivors.
He said the First Nation does plan to provide some transportation from Sagkeeng to Winnipeg, a nearly hour and a half drive, to follow the court case.
"This is a huge case involving the courts and involving the church and we need to make sure that justice is done for our people," Henderson said.
Manitoba RCMP has previously confirmed this is the only investigation into residential schools they are involved in, and don't anticipate any further charges to be laid.
If you are a former residential school student in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.