A 71-year-old priest from Saskatoon has been sentenced to eight months in jail and 18 months of probation for kissing a 13-year-old girl in a supply closet at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George in the Pleasant Hill neighborhood. The incident occurred two years ago, and the priest, Janko Kolosnjaji, was found guilty in February.
During the court proceedings, the prosecutor, Sheryl Fillo, highlighted the impact on the victim, emphasizing that it was her first kiss and that she was a vulnerable refugee from Ukraine. The victim, in a statement, expressed feelings of pain, shame, and confusion following the incident, stating that the world felt hostile and dangerous to her.
The victim’s mother also addressed the court, condemning the priest’s actions as a betrayal of trust and a violation of her daughter’s dignity and soul. The case has sparked outrage and raised concerns about abuse of authority and vulnerability in such situations.
