Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - January 23, 2015, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE A11 winnipegfreepress. com CANADA WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 A 11 774- 4444 WWW. WINNIPEGDODGE. CA long distance 1- 877- 448- 7788 Hours: Mon- Tues 9- 9 . Wed- Sat 9- 6 Walt Morris President BRAND BRAND NEW BRAND NEW BRAND NEW BRAND NEW BRAND BRAND NEW BRAND BRAND NEW NEW WE ARE O VERST OCKED AND NEED TO CLEAR OUT ALL T HIS INVENTORY NOW!! EWEW EWNEW EWNEW $ 16 , 998 * OR $ 9 9 B/ W * $ 17 , 998 * OR $ 102 B/ W * $ 24 , 998 * OR $ 135 B/ W * $ 1 6 , 998 * O R $ 99 B/ W * $ 13 , 998 * OR $ 67 B/ W * $ 27 , 998 * OR $ 145 B/ W * DODGE GRAND CARAV A N CHRYSLER 200 D RAM 1500 SXT QC 4WD DODGE JOURNEY DODGE DART JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED 4WD D W INS ROLL DODGE $ 50,000 CASH Plus LET IT ROLL EVENT PER DEAL, THIS IS NOT R NEWNEW * Example: $ 10,995 84 month term @ 3.99% $ 3,820 APR. Prices and payments plus taxes, fees and PPD. I QALUIT, Nunavut - A courtroom swelled with weeping, cries and 35 years of bottled- up grief Thursday as a defrocked priest who abused dozens of Inuit children told a judge about to sentence him he's sorry for his crimes and won't commit any more. " I can only take responsibility for what I have done," said Eric Dejaeger, 67, convicted on 32 counts of child sex abuse from his days as an Oblate missionary in Igloolik, Nunavut, between 1978 and 1982. Speaking quietly, in a voice heavily accented by his native Flemish, Dejaeger faced Justice Robert Kilpatrick in an Iqaluit courtroom and spoke for less than a minute. " I would like to ask for forgiveness," he said. " I promise not to reoffend - and that's not just words." That cued a crescendo of sorrow and tears from about 30 victims and supporters who had gathered to see their one- time tormentor for what they hoped was the last time. After court adjourned, one victim and his wife embraced in the middle of the room, motionless, she holding him up as everyone filed out around them. It was the end of a story that began for some victims when they were as young as four and that played out across three decades and two continents. It raised questions about the role of the Catholic church and Canadian officials in delaying justice for those still suffering mental scars from horrific attacks. The victims include 12 boys and 10 girls, most between the ages of eight and 12. Dejaeger also abused a dog in front of two children. Many testified Dejaeger used his position to trap them into sex, threatening them with hellfire or separation from their families if they told. Sometimes he dangled food in front of hungry children as a lure. Dejaeger has already served one five- year sentence on 11 counts of assaulting children in Baker Lake, Nunavut, where he was posted after Igloolik. It was in 1995, after he had served that sentence, that he learned RCMP were about to charge him for his activities in Igloolik. He fled to his native Belgium, testifying in court Canadian justice officials suggested it would be easiest if he simply left Canada, where he had become a citizen. Oblate officials have acknowledged they knew Dejaeger was about to flee. For 16 years, he lived quietly in homes maintained by the order despite an international warrant for his arrest. Eventually, journalists revealed Dejaeger was living illegally in Belgium. He was returned in 2011. The Crown has asked for a 25- year sentence, which would be reduced to 17 years once credit for time already served is subtracted. Dejaeger's lawyer said 12 years, of which no more than four would be spent behind bars, would be more in keeping with previous judgments. The defence said Dejaeger is being treated for cancer, has heart problems and fears dying in prison. Kilpatrick is expected to release a written decision by mid- February. Dejaeger is also expected to appear in court in Edmonton on Friday on another four sex- related counts. - APTN Ex- priest has apology for sex crimes Convicted on many counts of abusing Inuit children By Kent Driscoll Eric Dejaeger leaves an Iqaluit, Nunavut courtroom in 2011. He pleaded for forgiveness during Thursday's hearing. CHRIS WINDEYER / THE CANADIAN PRESS A_ 15_ Jan- 23- 15_ FP_ 01. indd A11 1/ 22/ 15 11: 03: 33 PM ;