Former CF Chaplain General Faces Sex Charges

This, from the CF National Investigative Service:

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....

This, from the current CF Chaplain General:

.... 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 ....

Let's remember:
1) Presumed innocent until proven guilty.
2) Remember the victims (and if you're thinking like some victims of such crimes out there, please know it's NOT your fault) and their families and friends as they prepare to go through a public trial process.