Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage young girl with hug and kiss
CTV
A Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage and reassure a young girl when he hugged and kissed during his testimony at Saskatoon Provincial Court Friday.
A Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage and reassure a young girl when he hugged and kissed during his testimony at Saskatoon Provincial Court Friday.
As the only defence witness, Janko Kolosnjaji, 71, used a walker to approach the testimony stand two weeks after having hip surgery Friday during the trial which resumed after two months of delays and adjournments.
Kolosnjaji is accused of hugging and kissing a then 13-year-old, who can't be named because of a publication ban, in a supply room at St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral on March 11, 2023. He was charged on April 19, 2023, and placed on leave shortly afterwards.
During his testimony, Kolosnjaji detailed various religious ceremonies and traditions where the "kiss of peace" is customary to show support and appreciation in Greek Catholic religion, like kissing a bishop's rings and shoulders or cheeks during certain liturgies. Kolosnjaji went on to say kissing other priests is traditional, and hugging parishioners after liturgies is commonplace as well.
In previous testimony in August, the court heard how the girl was helping her clean the church. As the mom spoke with the priest the girl went to a supply room to retrieve the vacuum cleaner. During the girl's testimony, she said the priest hugged her for 15 to 20 seconds and then grabbed her chin, raised her head and kissed her on the lips.
She said the priest told her she had "very beautiful eyes."
On Friday, Kolosnjaji said he went to the open room after hearing a loud sound. He told the girl to be careful before walking over to her. He said the girl was red in the face and looked as though she was scared and maybe something happened with the vacuum cleaner. In an effort to reassure and thank the usually quiet, timid and shy girl, Kolosnjaji asked the girl to hug him. He said he went to give her a peck on the forehead because her head was tilted down. As he kissed her, the girl looked up and his kiss landed on her cheek near her mouth instead.
