Ontario Catholic Priest Arrested On Child Sex Charges

July 27, 2023 Crime, Religion

Global News reports:

A Catholic priest working in Peterborough, Ont., faces charges of sexual offences involving a youth following an investigation by police. According to the Peterborough Police Service, the investigation led to the arrest of a man on Wednesday.

Neil Pereira, 33, of Peterborough, was charged with sexual assault and two counts of sexual interference. Pereira was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Peterborough on Aug. 8.

Police note sexual interference is when a person, for a sexual purpose, touches, directly or indirectly, with a part of the body or with an object, any part of the body of a person under the age of 16 years.

From the Archdiocese of Toronto:



The Peterborough Police Services charged Father Neil Pereira today with sexual interference and sexual assault of a minor. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough received an allegation in June of sexual and professional misconduct involving Fr. Neil Pereira.

The allegation was immediately reported to the Children’s Aid Society and the Peterborough Police Services.

Fr. Pereira was removed from pastoral ministry upon receipt of the allegation. Fr. Pereira is a priest from the Archdiocese of Toronto on loan for campus ministry in the Diocese of Peterborough.

The officials of the Archdiocese of Toronto have been kept informed by the Diocese of Peterborough throughout this process, including the laying of criminal charges today.

All allegations of abuse and/or misconduct are addressed seriously and thoroughly in accordance with the Diocesan policy. Please pray for all those who are impacted by this difficult situation.

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