A timeline of events in Nunavut abuse case involving Catholic priest - Action News
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A timeline of events in Nunavut abuse case involving Catholic priest

A timeline of events in the case against Catholic priest Eric Dejaeger, who faces a trial on 76 historical sex charges in Nunavut.

A timeline of events in the case againstCatholic priest Eric Dejaeger, who faces a trial on 76 historical sexcharges in Nunavut:

June 28, 1973:Dejaeger, 26, leaves Belgium for Canada to studyfor the Catholic priesthood with the Oblate order. He visits severalArctic missions and stays briefly in Pelly Bay, N.W.T. (nowKugaaruk, Nunavut).

May 1974:Leaves Pelly Bay for Edmonton.

1977:Takes out Canadian citizenship and is consecrated as adeacon in Repulse Bay, Nunavut.

1978:Ordained as a priest after studies at Edmonton's NewmanTheological College. Posted to Igloolik, Nunavut.

1982:Posted to Baker Lake, Nunavut.

April 1989:Asked by Oblates to leave Baker Lake.

Aug. 21, 1989:Arrested in Langley, B.C., where he is studyingInuktitut.

Dec. 19, 1989:Pleads guilty to eight counts of sexual assaultand one charge of indecent assault in Baker Lake. Sentenced to fiveyears.

June 14, 1991:Pleads guilty to two additional counts of sexualassault in Baker Lake after being charged with five. Sentences to beserved concurrently.

Sept. 12, 1991:Released from Rockwood Prison, aminimum-security institution in Stony Mountain, Man. Moves to
halfway house.

March 11, 1992:Granted full parole subject to conditions ineffect until 1995. Enrols at University of Manitoba.

January-February 1993:RCMP begin questioning other allegedvictims. New charges filed.

June 10, 1993:Dejaeger's lawyer writes to the Crown asking ifanother trial is needed. After some correspondence and discussion, atrial scheduled for early July is cancelled. Internal Oblatecorrespondence indicates "no further charges are expected."

1994:RCMP begin interviewing alleged victims in Igloolik.

Feb. 19, 1995:Dejaeger is charged with three counts ofindecent assault and three counts of buggery related to his time inIgloolik.

March 26, 1995:Dejaeger writes to Oblate officials in Belgiumto propose a possible return.

April 20, 1995:Oblate officials invite him to return.

June 13, 1995:Dejaeger fails to appear for a court date and anarrest warrant is issued.

June 20, 1995:Oblate officials are informed that Dejaeger isin Belgium.

July 5, 1995:Oblate officials in Belgium are informed that aCanadian arrest warrant was issued against Dejaeger. Dejaeger toldby Oblates that nothing is likely to happen unless he comes toCanada.

May 3, 2001:Interpol puts Dejaeger on its red list ofinternational arrest warrants.

June 27, 2002:RCMP issues fresh arrest warrant.

May 8, 2010:Belgian media publish story on Dejaeger livingfreely in Belgium despite warrants.

June 25, 2010:Interpol reissues arrest warrant.

Sept. 12, 2010:Oblates issue statement saying Dejaeger willturn himself in.

Jan. 3, 2011:Dejaeger arrested on immigration charges afterjournalist discovers his Belgian citizenship is no longer valid.

Jan. 19, 2011:Dejaeger returned to Canada, held in custody.

Nov. 18, 2013:Dejaeger's trial to begin.