A 101-year-old man, Roger Bergeron, has bravely testified about a sexual assault he allegedly endured at the hands of a priest in the mid-1930s. During a court session in Sherbrooke, he detailed the traumatic incident, which led to a lifelong estrangement from the church. His testimony is part of a class action lawsuit against the local diocese, which involves over 100 victims. The trial is expected to take place in 2026, marking a significant legal milestone.
A Brave Testimony from a Centenarian
A 101-year-old man has come forward with a harrowing account of sexual assault allegedly perpetrated by a priest in the mid-1930s. Roger Bergeron shared his story with unwavering confidence on Wednesday during a court session in Sherbrooke, as part of a significant class action lawsuit against the local diocese.
“What that priest did to me and the actions he took in my presence were appalling. A priest engaging in such behavior… it’s something I’ll never forget,” Mr. Bergeron expressed to reporters following his courtroom appearance.
Details of the Alleged Assault
Before Judge Sylvain Provencher of the Superior Court of Quebec, Mr. Bergeron recounted the disturbing incident that he claims occurred 89 years ago. The summer when he turned 12, the priest from his parish, St-Georges-de-Windsor, invited him on a trip to Quebec. Joseph Xyste Desautels had arranged a stay at the Château-Frontenac hotel, where they shared a room with a single bed, according to the testimony.
While they were in bed, the priest allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the young boy and compelled him to touch his genitals multiple times. “I tried to pull away as much as possible, but he was stronger than I was,” Mr. Bergeron recalled. When the boy resisted and refused to comply, the priest reportedly masturbated next to him before falling asleep.
After the ordeal, Mr. Bergeron noted that the return journey to St-Georges-de-Windsor was marked by complete silence, and he never spoke to priest Desautels again. “I stopped singing in the choir, I never confessed, and I no longer took communion. My practice of religion came to a halt. For years, I kept this experience to myself until recently,” he revealed.
It was through a television report about a class action lawsuit against the diocese of Sherbrooke that Mr. Bergeron decided to come forward and name his alleged abuser. He not only testified in court but also requested the lifting of the publication ban protecting the identities of victims in his case. “I wanted justice to be served,” he stated. “I wish that priest Desautels were still alive to face severe consequences for his actions.”
Upcoming Trial and Historical Significance
Due to his advanced age, Mr. Bergeron was permitted to provide his testimony before the trial officially commences. This groundbreaking trial, which includes over 100 alleged victims against the diocese of Sherbrooke, is anticipated to take place in 2026.
Leading the class action, attorney Justin Wee described the upcoming trial as historic: “This marks the first instance of a diocese facing trial in a class action lawsuit. The judge has confirmed that preparations will be complete by the end of December, with the trial set for 2026. Sherbrooke will be the first diocese in Quebec to confront such a trial.”
According to the plaintiffs, approximately forty clergymen are accused of committing sexual offenses against minors from 1930 to the present day. For the time being, their attorney has refrained from commenting on the potential financial claims against the diocese of Sherbrooke.