The Oblates of Mary Immaculate said Friday that a priest accused of sexually assaulting Inuit children in Nunavut has died after a long illness.
The Oblates of Mary Immaculate (“OMI Lacombe Canada”) and the Oblates of the province of France affirm that Joannès Rivoire died Thursday. He was 90 years old.
The Rev. Ken Thorson of OMI Lacombe Canada said in an email Friday that the death may be difficult to accept for those who have advocated for Father Rivoire to be brought to justice in Canada.
“We sincerely regret that […] Rivoire never made himself available and will never face the charges against him, Rev. Thorson wrote Friday. We further regret that efforts to have him formally removed from his priestly duties have failed. »
A recent independent report corroborated allegations that the priest molested six children in Nunavut.
Father Rivoire arrived in Canada in 1959 and remained in the Far North until January 1993, when he announced to his superiors that he had to return to France to take care of his elderly parents. That same month, four people went to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Nunavut to accuse Rivoire of sexual assault.
An arrest warrant was issued in 1998 for Rivoire to return to Canada to face at least three charges of sexual assault in the Nunavut communities of Arviat, Rankin Inlet and Naujaat. Rivoire refused to return to the country. More than two decades later, the charges were stayed.
Another arrest warrant was issued against Rivoire in 2022 for an “indecent assault” involving a young Inuit woman in Arviat and Whale Cove between 1974 and 1979. French authorities refused the extradition request.
Rivoire has denied all allegations and accusations, and none have been proven in court.
“Escape from justice”
Inuit leaders and politicians spent years pushing for Father Rivoire to be tried, some taking their fight to Parliament Hill in Canada and in Lyon, France, where Rivoire lived.
Piita Irniq, an Inuit elder and former politician who fought for more than a decade for Rivoire’s return to Canada, said he was informed Friday morning of Rivoire’s death.
“Rivoire left a legacy of intimidation, fear and horror to his victims. His victims will now begin to heal,” he says.
The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), a national organization representing Inuit across Canada, called this affair a systemic failure of states and religious institutions. Natan Obed, the body’s president, met with Pope Francis in 2022 and asked him to intervene in the matter.
The group said in a statement that the Inuit did everything they could to see justice done, but ultimately it wasn’t enough. “Our thoughts are with the many victims […] and to the many victims of the attackers who continue to escape justice,” the group added.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc (NTI), a group that represents the Inuit of Nunavut, said in a statement that it was disappointing that Rivoire did not have to respond to the charges against him.
“NTI has supported the victims and their families’ efforts to seek justice and will continue to stand with them now that Rivoire has passed away,” the group said. Governments must do better to support victims of abuse and bring perpetrators of violence against children to justice. »
Rivoire was banned from public office after the Oblates said they were first informed of criminal proceedings against him. The Oblates of Canada and France repeatedly urged Rivoire to face the accusations, but he always refused.
Many believed that the Oblates played a role in Rivoire’s departure for France. A recent independent investigation, led by André Denis, a retired judge of the Superior Court of Quebec, found no evidence that the authorities of this religious congregation were informed of the allegations or that they had helped Father Rivoire to leave Canada.
Me Denis said it was possible rumors about the priest’s behavior were behind his departure, but there was no proof.
The Oblates of Canada and France also appealed to the leaders in Rome to begin impeachment proceedings against Rivoire. Earlier this year it was decided that the priest could remain a member of the congregation.
The Oblates say they will continue to offer support to the plaintiffs and their families in the next chapter of their healing process.
“We would like to express our unequivocal apologies to all those who were hurt by Rivoire,” said Mr. Thorson. Our prayers go out to the Inuit community and all those who are still digesting this news. »