ROBINSONS Shock, horror and disbelief are some of the feelings stirred up when charges are laid against another Roman Catholic priest.
However, Elaine Wells of Robinsons, who grew up in the parish where Rev. George Smith once served as a priest at St. Columcille Parish in St. Fintan’s, said she was not surprised when the allegations were brought forward in 2010, and she was relieved someone was brave enough to come forward.
Recently, as a result of a 16-month investigation, the RCMP laid 38 charges against Smith in relation to numerous incidents that were alleged to have occurred between 1969 and 1989.
Smith, the administrator at St. Malachy’s in Kinkora, P.E.I., was suspended from his duties as a priest in May 2010 because of those allegations, which include inappropriate sexual touching.
Smith turned himself into police in Corner Brook Dec. 14 and was released conditionally to appear to appear in court on Feb. 23, 2012 for a plea.
Wells, giving her personal opinion on the matter of another priest being charged for sex-related incidents, said she was not surprised when the first allegations were made back in 2010 and was, in fact, relieved someone was brave enough to come forward.
She recognizes that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and she will be watching to see what comes out of the court.
Wells said unfortunately these alleged incidents took place during a time when young people were raised to place any authority figure in the highest regard and young people knew not to question their behaviour.
“The church played a big role in our lives back then with priests and sisters an everyday presence in the school and community. Thankfully the majority of them were decent, kind men and women of God,” she said.
Wells said when these kinds of allegations come forward it leaves a permanent mark on the boys involved and the parishes in which the accused has resided.
“I'm sure more people will be questioning their faith in the Church after this latest revelation.”
