Notice of civil claim page on a civil lawsuit against the Diocese of Prince George.

By Adam Berls

legal challenges

Diocese of Prince George facing ten sexual assault lawsuits

Mar 10, 2026 | 4:00 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — CKPG News has uncovered that the Diocese of Prince George, also known as the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Prince Rupert, is facing at least ten lawsuits, all of which are alleging sexual abuse against people in positions of power, who were alleged to have been employed by the Diocese.

The plaintiffs in the cases, allege that the sexual abuse took place when they were children and in school, which would have been under the governance and oversight the Diocese. One of the lawsuits alleges that the Plaintiff, was sexually assaulted by a Father Silk and another teacher, between the years 1976 and 1984 at St. Mary’s School in Prince George. Another separate lawsuit, alleges that the Plaintiff was sexually assaulted by a Father Silk in 1967, at the Immaculata Conception Church in Burns Lake.

Other lawsuits claim that plaintiffs were sexually assaulted by multiple perpetrators. The claims allege that the sexual assaults were related to activities pertaining to the plaintiff’s involvement with the Church and occurred on a repeated basis, increasing in frequency, nature and intensity as time progressed.

Another lawsuit filed against the Diocese, alleges that when the plaintiff was in Grade 4, between 1977 and 1978, they were sexually assaulted by their gym teacher who was employed at St. Maria Goretti School in Fort St. James. The suit alleges that the teacher was employed by the Diocese, and that they were responsible for the governance and oversight of the school. Another suit alleges that, they were sexually assaulted from the age of five to eight.

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All of the claims allege that the Diocese was negligent and failed in its duty to the plaintiffs, and in their lawsuits, the plaintiffs say they have suffered damages including PTSD, physical pain, shame, and addiction and are seeking compensation from the Diocese.

In their response to the courts regarding these civil lawsuits, the Diocese denies the allegations in the suits and they deny that any of its servants, employees or representatives breached any duties which they may have owed to the Plaintiff. Two of the civil lawsuits are set to go to trial in 2027. We reached out to the Diocese for comment, but did not hear back by deadline. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

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Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com