UPDATE: Cops confirm police charge against local priest

UPDATE: Cops confirm police charge against local priest

CORNWALL, Ontario – Provincial police confirmed Tuesday a local priest is facing a single count of sexual assault in relation to an incident that allegedly took place in September.

Police said a man was assaulted at a home in South Glengarry by another male.

On Oct. 29 the OPP charged Fr. Denis Vaillancourt, a retired priest of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall.

The diocese, for its part, said it would not comment beyond a media release it issued prior to OPP acknowledgment of the charge.

“Any allegation of improper conduct by a priest is an extremely serious matter,” read the diocese statement. “The diocese has co-operated fully with local authorities.

“We must be clear in stating that any form of misconduct by personnel of the Catholic Church is unacceptable. The diocese has developed extensive procedures to foster a safe environment for all members of our faith community…Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected by these events.”

Vaillancourt was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Alexandria on Nov. 18.

 

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