4 New Brunswick priests caught in sexual abuse allegations

In the latest seriesof pedophiliascandals plaguing New Brunswick's Catholic churches, fourpriests have been accused ofsexualassault,including the former chaplain of the University of Monctonand Dorchester Penitentiary.

Two of the priests practised atSt-Joseph Church in Shediacwhen the alleged abuse took place.

A lawsuitwas filed against Rev. PaulBreau, the former chaplain,Rev.YvonArsenault and the Moncton Diocese,alleging the priests used their position of authorityto engage in repeated sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old boy.

The boy was a young offender who had been ordered to do community work on church grounds, including raking leaves in the yard surrounding the St-Joseph parish. The two priests were responsible for supervising the young boy.

The abuse is alleged to have occurred over a two-year-period in the 1980s, in the residence of the priests.

The complainant, now 45, said he suffered severe damage as a result of the abuse, including depression and anxiety.

Former chaplain

Father Paul Breau occupied high-profile positions within the Moncton Diocese, including champlaincy at the University of Moncton and Dorchester Penitentiary.

Breau was still practising when the alleged accusations surfaced.

The Archbishop of Moncton, Valery Vienneau, has since removed him from his duties. In a statement, Vienneau said he was saddened by the news.

"While Father Breau had an excellent record, we will in accordance with our policy for the protection of minors and vulnerable persons suspend Father Breau from any further activities as a cleric pending the outcome of the court case," said Vienneau.

Vienneaualso said the Diocese has committed itself to stringent anti-abuse protocol, and has taken "unprecedented steps" to resolve claims of victims of sexual abuse, particularly those that came forward through the process spearheaded by former Supreme Court Judge Michel Bastarache.

The University of Monctonrefused to comment on the allegations against its former chaplain, stating it does not comment on cases that are before court.

Yvon Arsenaultalso faces a new lawsuit from another complainant, who alleges he was abused at the St-Joseph Parishwhen he was 12-years-old.

Arsenault faced a string of sexual abuse allegations in previous years, and was eventually removed from the church in 2013.

• Moncton priest faces new sexual abuse allegations

• 2 Moncton priests removed amidst sex abuse allegations

He is expected atMoncton'sCourt of Queen's Benchon Oct. 24 to face those accusations.

Five lawsuits in three months

New accusationshave also surfacedagainst priests inBathurstandEdmundston.

A lawsuit was filed against Rev.Normand Dugasofthe Bathurst Dioceseand two other priests who are now deceased.

The complainant alleges he wasabused by the three priests in succession, starting when he was six-years-old and continuing until he turned 14.

Last month, two lawsuits were filed against former priest Rino Deschenes and theEdmundston Diocese, alleging he repeatedly abused two young boys, aged between nineand 13, when he was a priest at the Riviere-Verte Church.

According to the lawsuit, Deschenesadmitted to the allegations in letters given to the victims.

Deschenes is currentlyinprison, after pleading guilty in 2015 to five sex-related charges, including indecency and sodomy. He was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.