OTTAWA, October 27, 2022 (KAP/CNA) — French authorities have rejected Canada’s extradition request for an alleged abusive priest. As reported by Canadian media (Wednesday local time), the application was not approved due to legal hurdles.

The accused Johannes Rivoire (92) was a French citizen during the period concerned. And France cannot extradite its own citizens. Moreover, too much time had elapsed between the events in question and the indictment.

Rivoire has been accused of sexual assault, which he allegedly committed several decades ago in Canada’s Nunavut Territory. This is where the indigenous people of the Inuit live. It is being told that some of the victims were minors at the time of the incident.

The Canadian government submitted an extradition request to France a few months ago. Inuit officials asked Pope Francis to personally persuade the priest to go to Canada voluntarily to face charges. However, Rivoire said he had no intention of returning to Canada. As of the current situation, criminal prosecution is unlikely.