Former priest to plead guilty to historical sex charges: Lawyer

Eric Dejaeger’s trial adjourned to Thursday; faces 8 charges related to time in Igloolik between 1978 and 1982

Ex-Roman Catholic priest Eric Dejaeger enters the Iqaluit courthouse Tuesday. He faces eight historical sex-related charges. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)

By Arty Sarkisian

Former Roman Catholic priest Eric Dejaeger, who is facing eight historical sex-related charges, will enter a guilty plea later this week, his lawyer Scott Cowan said in court in Iqaluit Tuesday.

Cowan did not specify which charges Dejaeger will plead guilty to when he returns to court on Thursday.

Dejaeger appeared in court Tuesday for only a few minutes before proceedings were adjourned. It was the second adjournment in the trial, which was supposed to begin Monday.

Dejaeger, 78, faces eight historical indecent assault and sexual assault charges involving six victims, according to court documents. The charges relate to his time working as an Oblate priest in Igloolik between 1978 and 1982.

He was charged in June 2023 after being arrested by police in Kingston, Ont., on a Canada-wide warrant.

Dejaeger had previously been convicted for numerous sex crimes committed during his time as an Oblate priest in Igloolik — including indecent assault, sexual assault, forcible confinement and bestiality — for which he was sentenced in 2015 to 11 years in prison.

He was released from prison in 2022 at the age of 75 by the Parole Board of Canada.

Share This Story

(0) Comments