Jailed priest faces new abuse lawsuit

PEMBROKE, Ontario, April 8 (UPI) -- A retired Canadian priest already in prison for sexually abusing boys in Eastern Ontario faces a new suit by 11 alleged victims seeking $22 million.

Former Monsignor Bernard Prince was found guilty of 13 counts of sexual abuse between 1964 and 1984 in January and is serving a four-year penitentiary sentence.

Monday, lawyers in Pembroke, Ontario, west of Ottawa, filed papers suing him and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pembroke, alleging he sexually abused 11 others when they were between 12 and 15 years old, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., reported Tuesday.

The victims said they believe the diocese was aware of an accusation against Prince involving a boy in 1968, lawyer Rob Talach told the Ottawa Sun.

Talach said he is hoping for an out-of-court settlement with the diocese but is prepared to go to trial.

Damages named in the suit are for pain and suffering, economic loss, and money for counseling and medication, the Sun said.