Retired priest accused of assault on modesty after investigation at Manitoba residential school

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

A retired priest has been charged with assault on modesty in connection with a decade-long investigation into a Manitoba residential school.

Retired father Arthur Masse, 92, was charged with assaulting a 10-year-old girl who was a student at Fort Alexander Residential School in northeastern Winnipeg.

The alleged assault took place between 1968 and 1970, police said at a news conference Friday morning.

“The victim in this case has endured a lot throughout the investigation process and has stood firm in talking about what happened to him,” the RCMP spokesman sergeant said. Paul Manaigre told a news conference on Friday.

“The most important thing for her today is that they listened to her.”

Police arrested Masse Thursday at his home in Winnipeg. He was released on parole and will appear in court in Powerview on Monday.

This is the only current investigation into residential schools by the Manitoba RCMP, and with that arrest, the investigation has concluded, police said.

More than 80 investigators worked on the case, contacting more than 700 people across North America to look for witnesses and victims and obtain 75 statements from witnesses and victims.

“The question may be asked: why, with all this work, was there one charge and not many?” said Manaigre.

“Unfortunately, due to the passage of time, many of the victims are unable to participate in the investigation, either for mental or physical health reasons, or because the victim is already dead.”

Potential victims had time to consider whether they wanted to give statements to the police and potentially go through the judicial process, the RCMP said.

In addition to interviewing potential victims and witnesses, investigators reviewed thousands of documents and archival materials and conducted door-to-door searches. After consulting with the prosecution, the police decided that there will be no further charges in connection with this investigation.

“This arrest is the culmination of a decade of work by RCMP investigators, who could not have come to a conclusion without the incredible courage of the victims and witnesses who were willing to relive the past trauma and talk about what it happened, ”said Manaigre.

If any other potential victims decide to show up, police will follow up, Manaigre said.

The school opened in 1905 in the community of Fort Alexander, in the territory of the Sagkeeng First Nation, and closed in 1970.

Fort Alexander School had a reputation for abuse. Survivors told the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about hunger and harsh discipline.

Children from about two dozen First Nations attended school for about 10 months a year.

A criminal investigation into the residential school was launched in 2011.

Support is available to anyone affected by their experience in residential schools and to those who are triggered by these reports.

A national crisis line of Indian residential schools has been set up to support survivors of residential schools and others affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the National Crisis Line 24 hours a day: 1-866-925-4419.

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