Former top military chaplain facing sex charges

NEWS RELEASE

DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE

************************* Retired chaplain general charged for incidents in 1972

BORDEN, ON - (February 16, 2010) - Today, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS), the investigative arm of the Canadian Forces Military Police, charged a former chaplain general of the Canadian Forces (CF) in the civilian criminal justice system for incidents at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden in 1972.

Retired Brigadier-general Roger Bazin is charged with one count of "buggery" contrary to Section 155 of the 1972 Criminal Code of Canada (CCC), one count of indecent assault on a male contrary to Section 156 of the 1972 CCC, and one count of an act of gross indecency contrary to Section 157 of the 1972 CCC.

At the time of the incidents, the accused held the rank of captain.

The accused was a military chaplain during his CF career and was the chaplain general, the head of the military chaplaincy, from 1992 to 1995.

"The military police consider this to be a serious matter and will thoroughly investigate any such allegations related to CF members, DND employees or Defence establishments," said Colonel Tim Grubb, Canadian Forces provost marshal. "These types of alleged acts, if proven, are illegal and represent unacceptable conduct."

The CFNIS is an independent military police unit with a mandate to investigate serious and sensitive matters in relation to National Defence property, DND employees and CF personnel serving in Canada and abroad.

For more information about the CFNIS, please go to this website.

For more information about the CFNIS Investigation Process, please go here.

For more information about the Canadian Forces Chaplain Branch, please go to this website.

************************* Statement by the chaplain general regarding the arrest of former Chaplain General Roger Bazin OTTAWA, ON - (February 16) - The chaplain general, Brigadier-General David Kettle, issued the following statement today:

"I am aware of charges brought against retired Brigadier-general Roger Bazin, former chaplain general, for what was then the Roman Catholic chaplain branch of the Canadian Forces. As the present chaplain general, I was shocked by these allegations. I take very seriously the charges laid against a former chaplain general for alleged actions committed while serving as a unit chaplain in 1972.

I will not comment on the charges as they are being dealt with by the criminal justice system, but I am certain that I speak for all Chaplains when I say that my heart goes out to the victims of such crimes, and their families.

The chaplains of the Canadian Forces undergo a thorough endorsement and selection process by their faith groups before joining Canada's military.

The interfaith committee of Canadian Military Chaplaincy (ICCMC) has among its responsibilities to recommend a nomination in the selection of chaplains general, and is committed to ensuring that chaplains in the Canadian Forces uphold, for the welfare of all, the highest moral standard as dictated in the code of ethics for chaplains.

The chaplain services remain committed to supporting and enhancing the effectiveness of the CF, their leadership, the men and women who serve and their families, through the provision of comprehensive religious and spiritual support, advice and care.

This office will cooperate with all parties involved in the investigation, including the military police and the Roman Catholic Military Ordinariate of Canada."

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