Manitoba

Archdiocese addresses charges against former Winnipeg priest Ron Léger

Catholics in St. Boniface attended the first mass since charges were laid against former Winnipeg priest Ron Leger last week.

'Sometimes all we can do is carry that sorrow together,' says head of St. Boniface Archdiocese

On Sunday, Catholics in St. Boniface attended the first mass since charges were laid against former Winnipeg priest Ron Léger last week.

Léger is facing three counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference.

The 76-year-old priest used to head up Holy Family Parish and founded Teen Stop Jeunesse.
Ronald Leger, pictured here in 1983, is a priest who used to be the head of Holy Family Parish in St. Boniface.

Albert LeGatt, the head of the St. Boniface Archdiocese, addressed the charges in front of Léger's former parish Sunday.

"The sorrow brought about to so many by this situation has deeply touched me also," said LeGatt. "Sometimes all we can do is carry that sorrow together."

LeGatt told the crowd the news has shocked many people.

"I can only repeat that despite my own thoughts and opinions I do not know," said LeGatt. "Like all of you I must wait for the light of truth to become clearer."

Léger has said he plans to plead not guilty to the charges. 

Two of the sexual assault charges date back to the 1980s, with the remaining two charges dating back to 2002.

Léger's court date is set for the end for January.