Former N.B. priest, 83, charged with sexual offences

An 83-year-old formerpriest from the Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick has been charged with 22 sex offences against children dating between 1958 and 1978.

Levi Noel is accused of 12 counts of gross indecency, nine counts of indecent assault and one count of assault against 10 males, who were all minors.

He's scheduled toappear in court in Tracadie-Sheila on Aug. 26.

RCMP in Tracadie-Sheila began their investigation in May 2008.

Police said they know of five other alleged victims, but four of them decided not to take legal action and the file of the fifth did not contain sufficient evidence to lay charges.

Noel left the Diocese of Bathurst more than 30 years ago, and is now retired.