Latest news with #UkrainianCatholic
CTV News
12 hours ago
- CTV News
Sentence delayed for Saskatoon priest convicted of sexually assaulting 13-year-old girl
A Saskatoon priest found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl will have to wait to know his fate after a judge reserved her sentencing decision for another date at Saskatoon Provincial Court Monday. The court heard sentencing arguments and victim impact statements after Ukrainian Catholic priest Janko Kolosnjaji was found guilty in February. The girl, who cannot be named because of a publication ban, says she felt 'pain, shame and could not understand what had happened.' 'After everything had happened, it felt as if the whole world became hostile and dangerous,' a court-appointed interpreter said, reading the girl's victim impact statement. 'I constantly felt shame that it happened to me.' Kolosnjaji, 71, was charged in April 2023, about a month after a woman reported her 13-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George. Judge Lua Gibb previously ruled the girl did not consent to a kiss from Kolosnjaji in a storage closet shortly after the girl and her mom arrived at the church for weekly cleaning on March 11, 2023. Kolosnjaji previously testified the kiss was part of a traditional greeting in his culture and not for sexual purposes. 'This is not just a violation of the law. It is about the destruction of a child's trust, a child's dignity, a soul,' Crown prosecutor Sheryl Fillo said while reading a victim impact statement from the girl's mother. 'The wound may never heal.' A conviction of sexual assault of a minor carries a mandatory minimum sentence of six months in jail. Fillo is argued for an eight-month jail sentence. Defence attorney Brian Pfefferle argued a constitutional challenge not to apply the mandatory minimum. He instead is seeking a six-month conditional, community-based sentence similar to house arrest. 'It would be grossly disproportionate, and it does violate the Charter, and that the court needs to be able to sentence this accused person based on unique circumstances,' Pfefferle said. Pfefferle is arguing because of Kolosnjaji's age, his declining health and having no prior record, he is not at risk to reoffend and should not have to serve the mandatory minimum sentence. 'I am very sorry that I bring some [discomfort] to this girl, because this is not my intention at all,' Kolosnjaji said to Gibb. Pfefferle argued not to add Kolosnjaji to a sex offender registry. He argued for Gibb to consider the 'totality of the circumstances' before coming to a decision. 'That's why trial judges like yourself need to have the full spectrum of sentencing before you, so you can sentence unique persons to unique sentences based on unique circumstances,' he said. 'Otherwise, we may have AI sentencing people.' Fillo told the court this was the girl's first kiss, and the girl was 'extremely' vulnerable as a refugee from a war-torn country who had recently landed in Saskatoon from Ukraine when the assault occurred. 'No matter what type of abuse or how extensive it takes place; it can have a severe psychological effect,' she said. The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon put Kolosnjaji on administrative leave since the charges were laid and say he will remain on administrative leave until sentencing an internal church investigation are complete. The matter will be back at Saskatoon provincial court on June 26 to set a date for a sentencing decision.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Saskatoon priest guilty of sexual assault will learn cost of kiss in September
A Ukrainian Catholic priest in Saskatoon will learn the cost of a kiss this fall. That's when provincial court Judge Lua Gibb will pass sentence on Father Janko Kolosnjaji. The 71-year-old was found guilty in February of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. Kolosnjaji kissed the teen two years ago at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood. On Monday, prosecutor Sheryl Fillo and defence lawyer Brian Pfefferle made their sentencing submissions. Gibb reserved her decision to September. Pfefferle is recommending a six-month conditional sentence to be served in the community and made a constitutional challenge, as there is a mandatory minimum sentence of six months imprisonment when the victim of a less-serious sexual assault is under the age of 16. Pfefferle argued that sending the 71-year-old, who had no previous criminal record, to jail would be "grossly disproportionate and violate his Charter rights," with the offence being on "the low end of allegations, which amount to a very brief peck or kiss." Prosecutor Sheryl Fillo argued for an eight-month jail sentence followed by probation, no contact with the victim or her family, and counselling. "This was, for the victim, her first kiss," Fillo said. "She was a refugee from a war-torn country [Ukraine] and extremely vulnerable … and he would have known it." The teen read a victim impact statement in court, describing the "pain and shame, I could not understand what had happened." "The world became hostile and dangerous." In a statement, her mother said that the assault involved a person in a position of authority. "This is the destruction of a child's trust, dignity, soul." Kolosnjaji spoke briefly to the court. "I am very, very sorry to bring uncomfort to this girl. From my heart, I give just love and support." If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. For support in your area, you can look for crisis lines and local services via the Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada database.
The Province
4 days ago
- The Province
Ex-priest pleads guilty to arson in fire of Victoria home near his former church
A priest and his young family had to be rescued from the second floor of their home in Victoria after someone set fire to the house in 2022. Father Yuriy Vyshnevskyy and his family narrowly escaped their home in the early hours of April 20, 2022. Photo by DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST A man was sentenced to 3½ years on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to setting a fire in the home of a Ukrainian Catholic priest that injured the priest's daughter in Victoria three years ago. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Walter 'Theo' Machinski, 63, of Nanaimo, was sentenced in B.C. Supreme Court in Victoria on Wednesday to federal prison for one count of arson with disregard for human life, according to the Victoria court's criminal registry. The conditions of his sentence included a 10-year firearms ban and providing a DNA sample. Yuriy Vyshnevskyy, his wife, and their three school-age daughters narrowly escaped the fire in their home next door to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Ukrainian Catholic Church near the Cook Street village in the early hours of April 20, 2022. Victoria police's major crime detectives arrested and charged Machinski, the former priest int he parish, a year later. He had been released on bail since then after spending some time in custody after his arrest, and he pleaded guilty to the charge in October. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The arson occurred as the war in Ukraine with Russia was raging, prompting the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to urge police to investigate the arson as a hate crime. But police said at the time of the arrest that investigators determined the arson was a targeted offence but not driven by hatred. 'The accused was known to the family, but it was not motivated by hatred toward an identifiable group,' Victoria police said the time. Vyshnevskyy's wife heard someone pour gasoline through the mail slot into the home and set it on fire. She was pulled off a window ledge from the bedrooms on the second floor and their three daughters had to jump out a second-storey window to escape the blaze. The oldest girl, then 11, required surgery for nerve damage in her arm, deeply cut by broken window glass. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Church president Alec Rossa said after the arrest that Machinski was priest at the church from November 2011 to September 2015, and was replaced by Vyshnevskyy in January 2016. Machinski was transferred to Nanaimo's St. Michael the Archangel parish, but has since left the church, he said. In a Victoria Times Colonist interview after the arson, Vyshnevskyy said he had not received any threats and was unsure if the motivation was personal or related to the war in Ukraine. After the arrest, he issued a statement thanking Victoria police and prosecutors for their work in investigating the arson attack that destroyed the family's home and 'nearly our lives.' 'We deeply appreciate all the continuing efforts of the police in protecting our family from potential threats and dangers following the arson attack,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Vyshnevskyy said the family was grateful to church members and other Islanders 'who have been so caring and concerned and helped us survive the effects of the attack and helped us get back on our feet again when we had nothing and were seriously hurt.' 'Yes, it has been a difficult year. We thank God for our healing, physical, emotional and spiritual. And of course we pray for the person who committed this horrible act that they too … find the healing and rehabilitation they are so in need of.' — With files from Victoria Times Colonist Sports Vancouver Canucks Soccer News News
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Ex-priest pleads guilty to arson in fire of Victoria home near his former church
A man was sentenced to 3½ years on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to setting a fire in the home of a Ukrainian Catholic priest that injured the priest's daughter in Victoria three years ago. Walter 'Theo' Machinski, 63, of Nanaimo, was sentenced in B.C. Supreme Court in Victoria on Wednesday to federal prison for one count of arson with disregard for human life, according to the Victoria court's criminal registry. The conditions of his sentence included a 10-year firearms ban and providing a DNA sample. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Yuriy Vyshnevskyy, his wife, and their three school-age daughters narrowly escaped the fire in their home next door to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Ukrainian Catholic Church near the Cook Street village in the early hours of April 20, 2022. Victoria police's major crime detectives arrested and charged Machinski, the former priest int he parish, a year later. He had been released on bail since then after spending some time in custody after his arrest, and he pleaded guilty to the charge in October. The arson occurred as the war in Ukraine with Russia was raging, prompting the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to urge police to investigate the arson as a hate crime. But police said at the time of the arrest that investigators determined the arson was a targeted offence but not driven by hatred. 'The accused was known to the family, but it was not motivated by hatred toward an identifiable group,' Victoria police said the time. Vyshnevskyy's wife heard someone pour gasoline through the mail slot into the home and set it on fire. She was pulled off a window ledge from the bedrooms on the second floor and their three daughters had to jump out a second-storey window to escape the blaze. The oldest girl, then 11, required surgery for nerve damage in her arm, deeply cut by broken window glass. Church president Alec Rossa said after the arrest that Machinski was priest at the church from November 2011 to September 2015, and was replaced by Vyshnevskyy in January 2016. Machinski was transferred to Nanaimo's St. Michael the Archangel parish, but has since left the church, he said. In a Victoria Times Colonist interview after the arson, Vyshnevskyy said he had not received any threats and was unsure if the motivation was personal or related to the war in Ukraine. After the arrest, he issued a statement thanking Victoria police and prosecutors for their work in investigating the arson attack that destroyed the family's home and 'nearly our lives.' 'We deeply appreciate all the continuing efforts of the police in protecting our family from potential threats and dangers following the arson attack,' he said. Vyshnevskyy said the family was grateful to church members and other Islanders 'who have been so caring and concerned and helped us survive the effects of the attack and helped us get back on our feet again when we had nothing and were seriously hurt.' 'Yes, it has been a difficult year. We thank God for our healing, physical, emotional and spiritual. And of course we pray for the person who committed this horrible act that they too … find the healing and rehabilitation they are so in need of.' — With files from Victoria Times Colonist
The Independent
07-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ukraine supporters focus on hope and resilience as US relations sour and war carries on
The theme of 'hope' was chosen long before this year's deterioration of Washington- Kyiv relations, but participants at an international Ukrainian studies conference said that hope is needed more than ever — not only in Ukraine but in the United States itself. Religious leaders, scholars, artists and diplomats have been gathering at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana since Thursday for a three-day conference focused on 'Revolutions of Hope: Resilience and Recovery in Ukraine.' But hope may be hard to summon at a conference that brought together supporters of Ukraine's resistance to Russia's ongoing military assaults. It came just a week after a disastrous Oval Office meeting in which U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — followed by the U.S. pausing military aid and intelligence-sharing. Those at the conference said it's important that Ukraine and its supporters maintain hope — not as a pie-in-the-sky sentiment but as a force that energizes their resistance. 'Today, our enemy is trying to make Ukraine a symbol of failure and ruin,' said Taras Dobko, rector of Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. "To live by hope in such a country means to be on a mission, to bring hope where it hurts, where things fall apart and where anxiety overwhelms.' But, he added, hope is motivating Ukrainians to resist. 'Hope is not only a spiritual resource, not only a source of strength for individuals in difficult times, but also a strategic security asset.' The conference, organized by Notre Dame's Nanovic Institute for European Studies in tandem with Ukrainian Catholic University, included speakers, an art exhibition and prayers for peace. The conference also featured remarks from the top-ranking Ukrainian Catholic official in the United States as well as Ukraine's ambassador to Washington, who warned that Russia is trying to delegitimize Ukraine's claims to statehood. 'It is the war on multiple fronts,' Ambassador Oksana Markarova said in a pre-recorded video statement played at the conference Thursday. 'Our brave soldiers and civilians defend Ukraine's physical and spiritual integrity while we diplomats, scholars and experts continue our efforts on information fronts by educating American and international societies about what is really at stake and why Ukraine resists so persistently and so relentlessly, even in the most difficult situations.' Markarova did not mention last Friday's disastrous Oval Office meeting, which she attended. But she said it's important to recognize that 'appropriation of Ukraine's culture and denial of our national identity remains the key avenue of Russia's criminal war against Ukraine.' She said it's important to 'restore historical justice and deny Russia any claims over Ukraine and our statehood.' Ukrainians' initiative in defending themselves against Russia 'deserves respect,' said Archbishop Borys Gudziak, in his keynote presentation at the conference. Gudziak heads the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia and is president of Ukrainian Catholic University. Ukraine is not asking for pity, he said, but added: 'When a bully is attacking it, it needs a little bit of solidarity." Gudziak said that hope has motivated Ukrainians to fight or do vital civilian work such as repairing war-damaged power grids, recognizing that 'my life is important, but maybe there's something bigger than my life.' He added that the temptation to despair is wide these days. 'I walked the halls of Washington a lot in the last few weeks,' Gudziak said. 'There's a lot of scared people, talented diplomats in the State Department who don't know what's going to happen tomorrow in all these government offices.' He said it's important to honor workers' human dignity during this time. 'I hope that today Ukraine can give America hope to not be afraid," he said. 'Say what is true. Witness. Make the stand for the immigrants, for the poor, for the unjustly fired. Because it's easy to get crushed by fear. There's great trepidation today in Ukraine, but there's also a trust, a trust in God.' ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
