By Canadian Press

French Oblates begin dismissal proceedings for priest accused of abusing Inuit

Sep 15, 2022 | 11:12 AM

The leadership of a Catholic order in France has begun dismissal proceedings against a priest accused of sexual abusing Inuit children in Nunavut.

A delegation of Inuit led by Nunavut Tunnagivik Inc. has been in France this week seeking the extradition of Johannes Rivoire to Canada. 

Rivoire was an Oblate priest in Nunavut from the 1960s until he returned to France in 1993. 

He was charged in February with one count of indecent assault of a girl in Arviat and Whale Cove, Nunavut, between 1974 and 1979.

He was accused in 1998 of sexually abusing four children in the territory, but those charges were stayed in 2017.

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None of the allegations against Rivoire have been heard in court.

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate say they have repeatedly urged Rivoire to face the charges and have written to the Canadian and French governments and the Vatican’s Secretary of State on the matter. 

As Rivoire has refused to return to Canada, the Oblates say they have decided to dismiss the priest. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2022. 

The Canadian Press