Following an investigation by Placentia RCMP, retired priest 79-year-old Peter Power of Branch has been charged with three Criminal Code charges: invitation to sexual touching, sexual assault and committing an indecent act.
Police received the complaint on March 8; the incident is alleged to have occurred in a private residence in Branch a few days prior and involved two individuals in their teens. Since retiring to the community, Power has continued to be involved with the Roman Catholic Church, occasionally leading Mass in the area.
He is scheduled to attend court in Harbour Grace on September 9, 2020, to answer to the charges.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Placentia RCMP at 709-227-2000 or contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by Secure Web Tips at www.nlcrimestoppers.com , or by downloading the free and secure mobile app. Search the App store for "P3 Tips". Electronic tips submitted to Crime Stoppers are encrypted, entirely confidential and completely anonymous.