‘You are a monster’: Former Catholic priest pleads guilty to sexually assaulting Nunavut children
WARNING: This article contains graphic content and details of sexual abuse of children, and may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.
A former Catholic priest who sexually abused children in Nunavut has pleaded guilty to all of the charges against him.
Eric Dejaeger, 77, entered his guilty pleas in an Iqaluit courtroom Thursday morning before Justice Faiyaz Alibhai.
Dejaeger originally faced eight historical charges for sexual assaults that happened between 1978 and 1982 in Igloolik. Two of the charges were withdrawn by the Crown, as they pertain to having sex outside marriage, which is no longer part of the Criminal Code.
“I plead guilty,” he said of the remaining six charges. “To all of them.”
A woman was drumming outside of the courtroom on Thursday as people entered.
Crown lawyer Emma Baasch read the facts of the charges into the record, detailing each assault.
Most of Dejaeger’s victims were between six and nine years old, and some were as young as four, the court heard.
Two of them are now deceased, Baasch said.
The court heard Dejaeger would tell children to come to the Catholic church in Igloolik, offering them candy if they did, before sexually assaulting them.
Several victims remembered Dejaeger telling them they would “go to hell” if they told anyone about the abuse.
Victims told the court details of the abuse they endured. Some said they were injured or passed out from the pain during the assaults.
Some people cried out and sobbed in the courtroom, while another person yelled at Dejaeger, who appeared to have no reaction on his face.
All of the vicitims’ identities are protected under a publication ban.
Dejaeger was originally scheduled to be on trial in Iqaluit this week, but that was halted earlier this week when his lawyer said his client would now be pleading guilty.
‘I wanted revenge for the little girl he hurt’
Victim impact statements also started to be read Thursday morning, before court broke for lunch.
“His victims … are in so much pain. You can see it in their eyes,” one person said.
“I wanted revenge for the little girl he hurt,” the same victim said through tears. “I’m not a little girl anymore and I’m not scared anymore.”
Many of them said they also don’t feel safe going to church.
“I hate the smell of the church,” one victim said. “I hate seeing new priests come to our community.”
“You are a monster. I hope you rot in hell,” another said.
Many parts of the church in Igloolik where Dejaeger worked, which still stands, remain the same, one victim said.
“It’s a horrible reminder it’s still the same,” she said.
Another victim, who said she was five years old when Dejaeger abused her, showed the court a photo of herself at that age.
“Look,” she yelled. “I hope you recognize her.”
Dejaeger was previously sentenced to 19 years in prison in 2015 after a court found him guilty of 32 counts of child sexual abuse during his time as a priest in Igloolik. He was released on parole in May 2022.
Victim impact statements will continue to be read this afternoon.
For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.
If you or someone you know in Nunavut is struggling, the following resources may help:
- Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut Help Line (available 24 hours a day): 979-3333 in Iqaluit, or 1-800-265-3333
- Healing by Talking counselling program: 1-888-648-0070
- Government of Nunavut Employee/Family Assistance Program: 1-800-663-1142
- Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit (Embrace Life Council): 1-866-804-2782
- Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
- Victim’s Services: 1-866-456-5216
