Retired priest accused of sexual assault at Manitoba residential school pleads not guilty

WARNING: This story accommodates distressing particulars.

A retired priest accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old lady at a Manitoba residential college greater than 50 years in the past has pleaded not responsible.

Arthur Masse, now 92, was not within the Powerview, Man., court docket on Wednesday, however entered his plea by means of his lawyer. His case will go to a Court docket of Queen’s Bench judge-only trial in Winnipeg, however a trial date has not been set.

Masse was arrested in June after a decade-long investigation and now faces one cost of indecent assault.

RCMP say the sufferer was a pupil at Fort Alexander residential college in Sagkeeng First Nation, in jap Manitoba, the place Masse labored. 

Police have not named the sufferer, however 63-year-old Victoria McIntosh, of Sagkeeng First Nation, says she was the kid on the centre of this case.

“I will be there each step of the way in which. I made a dedication, so I’ll hold that,” she mentioned exterior the Powerview court docket on Wednesday. 

“Mr. Masse, come out and communicate your fact as effectively, and I will communicate mine.”

At a court docket listening to in Powerview final month, Sagkeeng Chief Derrick Henderson requested that the courts work with the group to have a sentencing circle for Masse, which might have been contingent on him pleading responsible.

A sentencing circle is a community-directed restorative justice course of performed in partnership with the justice system, primarily based on the idea {that a} crime is an offence in opposition to a whole group, not only a sufferer.

Marilyn Courchene, who attended day college at Fort Alexander when Masse labored there, stood alongside McIntosh exterior the Powerview courthouse on Wednesday. She mentioned she wished the retired priest took half in a sentencing circle.

“Our approach would have been in a circle, our approach would have been to pay attention, our approach would have been to make use of the seven teachings,” Courchene mentioned.

“Our approach would have been, on the finish of the day, open with forgiveness, and I feel each events would have benefited.”

It isn’t clear if Masse declined to take part in a sentencing circle, or if that selection wasn’t offered to him.

Chief Henderson mentioned Wednesday he anticipated Masse to plead not responsible, and group members will proceed to attend court docket hearings alongside McIntosh.

“We’ll be there behind Victoria and her household till this course of is accomplished. There’s loads of assist from the group, from exterior the group,” he mentioned.

When a date is about for the trial, Henderson says Sagkeeng management will set up transportation so individuals who wish to attend the trial do not have to fret about attending to Winnipeg.

“We have to ensure that justice is completed for our individuals.”

Masse has one other court docket date set for Sept. 14, nevertheless it’s anticipated to be administrative in nature.

Assist is obtainable for anybody affected by their expertise at residential colleges or by the newest reviews.

A nationwide Indian Residential College Disaster Line has been set as much as present assist for former college students and people affected. Individuals can entry emotional and disaster referral companies by calling the 24-hour nationwide disaster line: 1-866-925-4419.