Retired priest charged with sexually assaulting preteen parishioner in western Manitoba in early 1970s

An 81-year-old retired priest has been charged with rape in connection with the sexual assault of a preteen girl who was a parishioner at his western Manitoba church in the early 1970s.

Manitoba RCMP told a woman in her 60s reported the historic sexual assault in March 2022.

She said she was sexually assaulted multiple times over two years by the priest while she was a parishioner at St. Elijah Romanian Orthodox Church in Lennard, Man., a small community just over 300 kilometers northwest of Winnipeg, near the Saskatchewan border.

The woman was 11-12 years old at the time of the alleged assault, RCMP said in a news release Thursday.

Police began an investigation that led officers to search historical church records, locate and contact different people, and liaise with church-related organizations to obtain investigative material.

An arrest warrant was issued for Constantin Turcoane, 81, now living in Regina, on charges of rape and sexual intercourse with a person under 14.

Turcoane turned himself into the police and has since been released from custody with a court date, RCMP said.

The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America website lists a priest with a Regina address named Constantin Turcoane, and indicates he is now retired.

RCMP said they believe there may be other assault victims. They’re asking anyone who may have information to contact the RCMP detachment in Russell, Man., at 204-773-2675.