Inuit leader asks Pope Francis to intervene in case of priest accused of sex assault

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

The leader of the Inuit delegationmeeting privately with Pope Francis on Monday has called on the pontiff to personally intervene in the case of a fugitive Oblate priest accused of sexually assaulting children in Nunavut.

CBC News has learned that FatherJohannes Rivoireisfacing a new Canada-wide warrant for his arrest.Mounties received a complaint in September 2021 about sexual assaults alleged to haveoccurred about 47 years ago, saysa statement sent by Nunavut RCMPfollowing the Inuit delegation's meeting with the Pope.

Rivoirenow lives inLyon, France. He wasnever tried on charges in Canada because he returned to France in the early 1990s. Francedoes not extradite French nationals.

Natan Obed, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, asked Pope Francis to help bringFatherJohannes Rivoireback to Canada.

"I would ask you in your capacity as the head of the Catholic Churchto speak with Johannes Rivoire and direct him to return to Canada to stand trial for the harms he has done," Obed told the Pope.

"I understand that this action may not be successful, for many reasons. In that event, I would ask you to use your influence with the relevant authorities in France to have Rivoire extradited to Canada or tried in France."

Rivoire, 93, was charged on February 23, 2022 with sexual assault, according to the Nunavut RCMPstatement.

ThePublic Prosecution Service of Canadasaid it is allegedthat between Jan. 1, 1974 and Dec.31, 1979Rivoire indecently assaulted a female personcontrary to section 149 of theCriminal Code.

A publication ban is in place to protect the identity of the complainant.

Canadian bishop says church needs to 'address this'

Obed told CBC News ahead of the meeting that,of all the requests heplannedto make of Pope Francis fora papal apology for residential schools, for the church to pay reparations to survivors and for the disclosure of all residential school documents this one might have the most impact.

"We would like to see those victims have semblance of justice and the families of the deceased victims also see some level of accountability," he said.

Calgary Archbishop William McGrattan, who was in theroom to witness the meeting between the Pope and Inuit delegates, said Pope Francis understands the importance of Obed's request.

"The church needs to address this in a forthright manner,"McGrattan told a press conference following the private audience.

"This is not just one isolated case ... If there are allegations that someone has committed this abuse, they need to be brought to justice and the church should not stand in the way."

Oblates encourage priest to cooperate with authorities

Father Ken Thorson, leader of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Canada, told CBC News he has contactedObed toexpress sympathies for the alleged victims andto provide support to the Inuit community. He said Rivoireshould turn himself in to the authorities.

"We encourageJohannes Rivoire to do what he should have done long ago cooperate with police and make himself available for the legal process, if not in Canada, then in France," Thorson said.

Thorsonsaid he also sent a letter to Justice Minister and Attorney General David Lametti with a similar message.

He said the Oblates remain open to sharing records or files, as requested. Should any new allegations or evidence to come to light, he said, the information would be "promptly turned over to the proper authorities."

Obed said he believes Pope Francis can play a personal role in bringing about justice.

"If he would take the time to tell Father Rivoire to go to Canada, then perhaps that would be successful in a way that no other body could," Obed said.

"He has a unique place at this point in time to help Inuit and I hope that he chooses to do so."

The 'cost of inaction'

Rivoire spent time in several Nunavut communities from the 1960s on andreturned to France in 1993.

In a 2017 assessment, thePublic Prosecution Service of Canadaconcluded that"there was no longer a reasonable prospect of conviction regarding the charges" and"continuing the prosecution was no longer in the public interest."

WATCH | Archbishop responds to Natan Obed's demand:

Pope heard Indigenous delegates' calls for justice, archbishop says

2 years ago

Duration 0:39

Calgary Archbishop William McGrattan responds to Inuit leader Natan Obed's request for Pope Francis to intervene personally in the case of Father Johannes Rivoire.

The RCMP issued a warrant for Rivoire's arrest in 1998; thatwarrant was cancelled in 2018 following the decision to stay the charges.The fact that France does not extradite its citizens appears to have been a key factor in the decision.

Last year,Lamettisaid that while he couldn'tresurrect the stayed charges,"there is always the possibility that further evidence might be brought forward by other complainants or other witnesses."

In a statement to CBC News, Lametti's office said theDepartment of Justice can't confirm or deny whether Canada is in touch with France regarding the extradition of Rivoire due to the confidential nature of state-to-state communications.

The office said that, generally speaking, the department initiates extradition proceedings following a request from provincial or federal prosecutors.

Obed told CBC Newshe's spoken to Lametti's office, which he said has pledged to support efforts to bringRivoireto trial.

"There is a cost of inaction," Obed said.

Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools or by the latest reports. A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419