Thursday, August 18, 2011

Winnipeg priest free to return after trial

His legal troubles finally behind him, a Winnipeg priest accused of sexual assault in Hawaii is free to return home.

Six months after a 55-year-old woman at a church in Hawaii accused Bohdan Borowic, 56, of kidnapping and two counts of sexually assaulting her, a jury acquitted him after deliberating for about two hours on Monday.

Prosecutor Patricia Kickland said after the acquittals Borowic "is free to go."

Borowic, who had been freed on $75,000 bail shortly after his arrest but was ordered not to leave Hawaii, could not be reached for comment.

But on a website to support him created with help from his family, Borowic offered his "most sincere thanks to all who prayed for me.

"You will be in my prayers at the altar. It is time for reflection and healing. Peace be with you and may Holy Mother Mary protect you."

Borowic, who also goes by Borowec, was born in Ukraine in 1956, and was ordained in Winnipeg in 1984. Before the charges, he was the priest at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church and Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church.

At the time of Borowic's arrest in February, he was placed on administrative leave by the Archeparchy of Winnipeg.

Rev. Greg Zubacz, chancellor of the archeparchy, said on Wednesday that Borowic is still in Hawaii awaiting for passport clearance so he can return to Canada.

The prosecution has not said it intends to appeal, Zubacz said.

"The archeparchy is grateful for all prayers and support received to date on behalf of Father Borowec and is pleased that he was exonerated," Zubacz said in a written statement.

"Father Borowec is in the process of preparing to return back to Winnipeg at his earliest opportunity. After he returns to Winnipeg, his return to active pastoral ministry following his administrative leave will be reviewed with him."

According to a story in the Honolulu Star Advertiser, Borowic's accuser testified in court during the four-day trial that the priest, while he was on vacation in Hawaii and filling in at St. Sophia's Ukrainian Greek Catholic Mission, gave her a bear hug, grabbed her buttocks and did not let go until she pushed him away. She claimed he later gave her another bear hug and fondled her.

But Borowic testified he didn't do anything inappropriate, instead only hugging her.

If convicted, Borowic had faced penalties of up to 20 years in prison for kidnapping and up to five years for the assaults.