Retired judge visits Nunavut to hear Inuit sexual abuse claims against priest – APTN News
Aug 24, 2023
The leader of a new Oblate Safeguarding Commission has begun investigating the handling of clergy abuse allegations in Nunavut.
A retired judge was in Nunavut this week to hear more about historical allegations of child sexual abuse against an Oblate Catholic priest.
André Denis, formerly of the Superior Court of Quebec, was hired by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, OMI Lacombe Canada and the Oblates of the Province of France to lead the Oblate Safeguarding Commission and review their handling of the accusations against Joannes Rivoire.
Rivoire, who served 30 years as a missionary in Nunavut, has denied the allegations.
The Oblates say Denis has until next spring to complete his report, which is independent of their Order.
“While we have supported the process by providing him with guidelines and trying to promote awareness of the Commission, I am unable to speak in detail to his ongoing work,” Fr. Ken Thorson of OMI Lacombe in Ottawa said in an email to APTN News.
