Northern B.C. woman files sexual abuse lawsuit against priest

VANCOUVER, B.C. — A Northern B.C. woman is suing the Diocese of Prince George, claiming she was sexually abused as a child by a priest.

The claim was filed on April 19th, 2023, and alleges Father Jungbluth sexually assaulted her between 1971 and 1977 at the Church of St. Anne, governed by the Diocese of Prince George.

The Church of St. Anne is located in Kelly Lake, B.C., northeast of Tumbler Ridge and close to the Alberta border.

The claim alleges that the Diocese granted a position of power and authority to Father Jungbluth, who then used that power to “prey upon the plaintiff and sexually assault the plaintiff.”

According to the claim, the acts of sexual abuse occurred repeatedly and increased in frequency, nature and intensity as time went on.

The claim also alleges that Father Jungbluth used his position of authority and the fact that the plaintiff was a child to ensure she did not tell anyone about the abuse.

The file says the Diocese of Prince George was negligent and failed its duty to the plaintiff when she was a child, which led to her being sexually abused by Father Jungbluth.

As a result of the abuse, the woman has allegedly experienced physical pain and many mental illnesses, including depression and PTSD, as well as a mistrust of authority figures and men.

The plaintiff is seeking damages, interest, and compensation for both healthcare service costs and the costs of the claim.

No allegations have been proven in court.

The woman’s lawyer, Seth Wheeldon, is seeking for her name to be anonymized.

The Diocese of Prince George has 21 days after receiving a copy of the claim to reply.