Saskatoon priest defibrillated in courtroom after he’s found guilty of sexually assaulting teen girl: lawyer

A shocking incident unfolded in a Saskatoon courtroom as a Ukrainian Catholic priest, Janko Kolosnjaji, collapsed and had to be defibrillated after being declared guilty of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in a church. The verdict was delivered in a judge-alone trial for one count of sexual assault of a minor, following charges laid by Saskatoon police in April 2023.

The assault reportedly took place at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood, with the victim’s mother reporting the incident. Despite the defence’s claim that the kiss was part of a cultural greeting, Judge Lua Gibb found Kolosnjaji guilty, ruling that the girl did not consent to the kiss.

Both the accused and the victim testified in court, with the victim’s identity protected by a publication ban. The emotional impact of the trial took a physical toll on Kolosnjaji, who suffered a medical emergency and collapsed in the courtroom upon hearing the guilty verdict. Paramedics were called in to provide medical assistance, and Kolosnjaji is currently recovering in hospital.

As the court proceedings continue, Kolosnjaji remains on administrative leave from the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon pending an internal church investigation and sentencing. The Eparchy expressed regret for the victim’s ordeal and stated their commitment to ensuring justice is served.

A conviction of sexual assault of a minor carries a mandatory minimum sentence of six months in jail. Kolosnjaji’s lawyer, Brian Pfefferle, plans to challenge this mandatory minimum at sentencing, citing mitigating factors such as his client’s lack of criminal record, age, health, and the nature of the offense being on the lower end of the spectrum.

Support is available for anyone who has been sexually assaulted, with crisis lines and local support services accessible through the Government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. Immediate assistance can be obtained by calling 911 in situations of danger or fear for safety.

The sentencing date for Kolosnjaji has been set for June 16 in Saskatoon provincial court, where his fate will be decided based on the evidence presented and the impact of his actions on the victim and the community.