Orthodox archbishop charged with Sexual Abuse
26/11/2010
WINNIPEG — A former Archbishop of Canada in the Orthodox Church whose career has taken him around the world has been arrested by Winnipeg police on two charges of sexual assault.
Kenneth William Storheim, 64, surrendered to police Wednesday after an investigation into sexual abuse allegations dating back 30 years led to charges.
It’s been alleged previously that the abuse took place in the 1980s, when two boys — both 10 years old at the time — were visiting Winnipeg. At the time, Storheim would have been a priest.
Last month, the Orthodox Church in America said it had launched an internal investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct.
On Thursday, police said a publication ban is in effect, and that no further information will be provided, in order to protect the identities of the victims involved.
Storheim, based in the eastern Ontario rural community of Spencerville, has been on a leave of absence since the start of October.
Storheim spent hours in a Winnipeg police station Wednesday, according to his lawyer Jeff Gindin.
“Investigators are definitely looking to speak with anyone who might have any information regarding this investigation,” said Winnipeg police spokeswoman Const. Natalie Aitken. “These are very serious charges that this individual is facing and I think it was very courageous for the individuals to come forward.”
Earlier this year, an American advocacy group for abuse survivors forwarded information to police about Storheim, who worked in Winnipeg at the Holy Trinity Sobor from 1984 to 1987.
The advocacy group, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), said the matter came to the attention of the church more than 20 years ago.
However, Gindin said his client is “adamant” he isn’t guilty.
“He’s shocked (at) the allegations,” the lawyer said. “He’s not happy about anything that’s going on right now.”
Police noted Storheim was “co-operative” with the police investigation.
Born in Edmonton, Storheim began his religious career as an Anglican priest, but later converted to the Orthodox Church and became a monk.
He was ordained as a priest in New York in 1979, and became a bishop in Edmonton in 1989. He became the Archbishop of Ottawa and of Canada in March 2007.
He has also served in Winnipeg, Moose Jaw, Sask., London, Ont., and in locations in Europe and the United States.
Gindin said his client was released after providing a deposit of $500 and turning over his passport. Storheim’s first court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 10.
The Orthodox Church in America is thought to have more than one million members and is the 24th largest Christian denomination in North America.
