Multiple Catholic archdioceses and bible camp facing sexual assault lawsuits

The Archdiocese of Winnipeg is seen in Winnipeg, Man., on Sept. 23, 2025. (Scott Andersson/CTV News Winnipeg)

Warning: This article contains content that may be disturbing to readers. Discretion is advised.

Nearly a dozen lawsuits alleging sexual assault have been filed against Catholic archdioceses and a Manitoba bible camp in recent months, CTV News has learned.

The 11 lawsuits were filed in Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench by Preszler Injury Lawyers between March and August, each with a separate plaintiff and alleged victim.

The plaintiffs allege they were sexually assaulted by priests and a staff member — all of whom are listed as non-parties in the lawsuits — at churches and a Catholic school between 1958 and 1986. All alleged perpetrators were responsible for mentoring the plaintiffs, the suits say.

One lawsuit against the Manitoba Camping Association, Christian Camping International Canada and Red Rock Bible Camp alleges that a leader at the camp sexually assaulted the plaintiff in 1978.

“Throughout the period of time that the aforementioned abuse was occurring, the perpetrator used his position of authority and trust, also the fact that the plaintiff was a young child, to ensure that the plaintiff did not tell anyone about his wrongdoing,” reads the statement of claim filed on June 27.

Defendants in the slew of lawsuits also include the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Winnipeg, the Synod of the Diocese of Brandon, the Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese, the Archdiocese of Saint Boniface and Providence University College and Theological Seminary.

Two of the plaintiffs claim they were as young as eight years old when they were allegedly sexually assaulted, according to the lawsuits.

The plaintiffs all allege that the defendants were liable for the actions of the perpetrators — mostly priests at Manitoba churches — and that they had the duty to oversee all activities in a way that could have prevented the alleged abuse.

The suits seek an unspecified amount in damages, including special damages, punitive damages and aggravated damages.

College calls for suit to be dismissed: statement of defence

One lawsuit alleges that “in or about the year 1965,” a priest working at the former St. Joseph’s College in Otterburne, Man., sexually assaulted them when they were a child.

However, Providence University College and Theological Seminary — which is named as a co-defendant in that suit — is calling for the suit to be dismissed in its statement of defence filed on June 20.

“At no time, neither in 1965, nor before that time, nor since then, did Providence or its predecessor organization have any involvement with the operation of the St. Joseph College,” says the statement of defence.

Providence said that it purchased the college premises years afterwards and is “nothing more and nothing less than a subsequent owner of real estate where the events as alleged in the statement of claim are said to have occurred.”

“While Providence has tremendous sympathy for all victims of sexual abuse, it has some difficulty understanding why it has been included in this litigation, and has asked to be removed from it,” a spokesperson told CTV News.

The post-secondary institution is the only defendant listed in the slew of lawsuits that has filed a statement of defence as of Tuesday.

CTV News reached out to all the listed defendants for comment. All other defendants who responded by a deadline declined to comment on the matters.

None of the claims have been tested in court.