Archdiocese denies sex claims in latest historical lawsuit involving late priest

The Archdiocese of St. Boniface has denied a man’s claims he was sexually abused by one of its priests in rural Manitoba decades ago.

The man, who’s in his late 60s, claimed in a lawsuit filed in the Court of King’s Bench earlier this year that he was sexually abused by now-deceased Catholic priest Rene Touchette in the village of Somerset, about 150 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg.

In a statement of defence filed in late July, the archdiocese argued the lawsuit should be tossed out — and that the man has provided no proof of the alleged abuse.

“The archdiocese denies that the plaintiff was subjected to any sexually inappropriate contact from Fr. Touchette,” reads the court filing.

Touchette, who died at the age of 71 in 2012, was convicted in 1993 of sex crimes committed while he was a priest in Somerset.

The plaintiff claims repeated “violent assaults of a sexual nature” occurred while he was a youth member of Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité between 1972 and 1980, while he was between ages 13 and 21.

The archdiocese argued that if there were any inappropriate sexual contact between the priest and the plaintiff, it denies that it can be held liable for it.

Further, the archdiocese claims, it was not negligent and did not breach its duty to the plaintiff.

The church officials argue in the court filing that the man’s claim is barred under provincial limitations legislation — which dictates time frames for when certain lawsuits can be filed.

The archdiocese also claims the man’s lawsuit is barred, as some of those who could have been witnesses are long dead, no documents are available and other witnesses can’t be found.

“The archdiocese states that the plaintiff was aware he suffered… damages but took no steps to advance the action until he was certain no one could respond to it,” the archdiocese’s court filing said.

Touchette was accused of abuse in two other recent lawsuits filed against the archdiocese in May and June 2023, respectively. Church officials have also denied those allegations and the claim it had knowledge of any sexually inappropriate behaviour in statements of defence.

All three lawsuits remain before the court.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca