Crown stays charges against priest from Humboldt area

Charges have been stayed against a priest from the Humboldt area who was arrested in December of 2020 and accused of sexual offences.

Anthony Tei Atter, who was responsible for three rural parishes near Humboldt, initially was charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual exploitation.

According to an email from Atter’s lawyer, Brian Pfefferle, Crown prosecutor Jennifer Claxton-Viczko asked for a stay of proceedings Monday afternoon “after she was provided with documents, texts and photographs relevant to the case by the defence.”

A jury had been empanelled for Atter’s trial in Saskatoon. The trial was to begin Monday afternoon.

“Fr. Atter has always asserted his innocence in this case,” Pfefferle wrote in his email. “He has never harmed any child. He loved the community he worked in and the people in it.

“He is grateful for the significant support he received from parishioners and community members who stood by him throughout this entire process. Some 80 people were planning to attend to demonstrate their support for him on Tuesday morning.”

The parishes which Atter oversaw at the time of his arrest were St. Gregory in Saint Gregor, St. Ann in Annaheim and St. Anthony in Lake Lenore.

In a statement to the media after Atter’s arrest, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon said the priest had been “removed from ministry.” It’s unclear what impact the stay of proceedings will have on Atter’s status with the church.

“Allegations of sexual abuse are part of an unfortunate legacy which has followed the Catholic Church,” Pfefferle wrote. “As a result, hypervigilance is a necessity. Appropriately, the Bishop asked Fr. Atter to step away from duties until this matter was resolved.

“With this resolution, Fr. Atter is unsure what the future holds, but will co-operate with any internal investigations should further investigations take place and wishes to remain in Saskatchewan.”

Pfefferle added Atter was “relieved” that the charges had been stayed.