Catholic Priest Charged with 38 Charges of Offenses Including Indecency, Sexual Assault and Indecent Assault on Male

Rev. George Ansel Smith

News that a Roman Catholic priest has been charged in western Newfoundland with dozens of sex-related offenses over two decades shook the church Wednesday.

The offender, Rev. George Ansel Smith was suspended last year from his duties as a church administrator in Kinkora, P.E.I., and is now retired.

Bishop Peter Hundt of the Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador said news of the charges hit hard. He stated in an interview that it's always difficult and it brings a lot of emotions to the surface for everybody.

He faces 38 charges including several counts of gross indecency, sexual assault and indecent assault on a male.

The RCMP say the charges stem from a 16-month investigation and that Smith turned himself in to police. Smith appeared in provincial court in Corner Brook in connection with alleged incidents between 1969 and 1989. He was released on conditions and is to appear in court on Feb. 23 for a plea.

Hundt said the diocese has co-operated with police and wants members of the public to help the RCMP with their investigation if they have information.

"Any allegation of improper conduct by a priest is an extremely serious matter," he said, reading from a statement.

"The diocese has developed extensive procedures to foster a safe environment for all the members of our faith community, and has also developed a clear policy and procedure for replying to allegations of sexual misconduct." Hundt said church officials are especially mindful of the alleged victims in this case, the latest to rock an institution that has repeatedly grappled with sex abuse involving clergy.

Police would not release details on the ages of the alleged victims as a matter of confidentiality.

Smith has not worked in the Corner Brook region for more than 20 years, Hundt said. Smith moved to P.E.I. in 1994 after working in Deer Lake, N.L., near Corner Brook, from 1986 to 1991. He had also worked in nearby parishes.

He was removed in May 2010 from his duties at St. Malachy's Church in Kinkora, P.E.I., after Bishop Richard Grecco got a call from the diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador about an abuse allegation.

Grecco said at the time that Smith was distraught but understood that a priest must leave the parish immediately after any allegation of abuse.