Bishop Admits “We Could Have Done More” After Priest Charged with Sexual Abuse Crimes

Wants to See Justice

Bishop Richard Gagnon, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria British Columbia said he wants to “see that justice gets done” after British Columbia priest, Father Philip Jacobs was charged with sexual assault.

Jacobs served as a priest for St. Joseph the Worker in Saanich, British Columbia from 1998 to 2002.

Diocese Knew Priest Relieved of Duties

The B.C. Diocese was aware that Jacobs had been relieved of his duties at a church in Columbus, Ohio, after admitting to inappropriately touching a teenage boy. Despite that, the Diocese allowed Jacobs to serve in Saanich and did not provide any warning to parish members about Jacob’s unsavory past.

Did the Church Fail the Victims?

Gagnon was quoted as saying:

“…did the church-at-large fail these victims? I believe we could have done more (to prevent this from happening).”

Police Receiving More Information

After the criminal charges were laid RCMP began receiving a “stream of tips” from people with information about Jacobs.