Former Winnipeg priest Ronald Lger, archdiocese sued by sex assault victim

One of the sex assaultvictims of former Winnipeg priestRonaldLger has filed a $2.1 million lawsuit against him and the CatholicArchdiocese of St. Boniface.

Thevictim, referred to only by initials in the statement of claim, accuses the archdiocese and theclerics of Saint Viatorwhich jointlyemployedLgerof failing to take steps to stop the abuse andprotect him.

Instead, they took steps to cover up the assaults and acted in a "harsh, high-handed and malicious" manner by trying to suppress information aboutLger's conduct and promoting a culture of secrecy that puttheir reputation over the safety of people, the claim says.

Lger, the formerhead of Holy Family Parish,was arrested early last year after three males came forward. Two were attacked in the1980s, while the thirdoccurred between 2002 and 2004.

Hepleaded guiltyin July 2015 tothree counts of sexual assaultand one count of sexual interferenceand was sentenced in February 2016to two years behind bars. His name wasalsoadded to Canada's nationalsex offender registry.

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The victim in the civil case, now 24,was just two years old when he first metLger, who was his family's priest, in 1995.

Lgerbegan mentoring the boy, providing "spiritual guidance"andcounsellinghim in "religion, Catholic education and other matters" and continued that role into the boy's teenage years, according to the statement of claim.

The relationshipLgerdeveloped "under the guise of apriest-parishionerrelationship"' allowedLgerthe opportunity to bealone with the boy and "exert total control over him, prey upon him and sexually abuse him," the claim states.

The abuse startedin 2004, when the boy was 12, and continuedfor twoyears, states the claim.Lgerexposed his naked body,fondled the boy's genitalsand engaged in other sexual activities,whichoccurred in places run by the archdiocese, the claim states.

In order to facilitate the abuses,Lgerengagedin a pattern of behaviour intended to make the boy feel special in the eyes of the priest, the church and God, the claim states, adding thatLgerused his position of authority and trust to ensure the boy didn't tell anyone.

The victim claims hehas suffered physical, mental, psychological andemotional stress fromthe abuse, and his ability to carry on a normal life has been impaired.

The archdiocese hasdeclined to comment on the case.