By Keith Lacey
A Roman Catholic priest has denied he touched any young girl for any sexual purpose at any time in his life.
Father Donald Holmes, 63, wearing his clerical collar for the first time since the beginning of his trial last week, vehemently denied fondling, touching or kissing any of 12 complainants in an inappropriate manner between 1972 and 1984 at two churches in Sudbury and one in Sturgeon Falls.
"I never French-kissed anyone and I never touched her breasts, never. That?s not true," said Holmes, when asked by his lawyer Andrew Buttazzoni whether he?d engaged in any illegal act with a former altar server in the early 1970s.
Holmes is on trial on 15 counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual assault. He?s pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Assistant Crown attorney Diane Fuller dropped one count of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency relating to one complainant Monday.
Twelve other complainants testified last week that Holmes inappropriately grabbed, touched, rubbed, fondled and kissed them when they were altar servers or parishioners.
With the exception of two women from Sturgeon Falls, the complainants, now all in their mid to late 30s and early 40s, each testified they have never met each other and have not filed any civil action against Holmes or the Catholic church.
Holmes was suspended from all church duties and put on administrative leave once the first complainant made allegations in the fall of 1999.
Buttazzoni carefully took Holmes through every allegation made against him by each complainant last week.
Holmes admitted to knowing 11 of the 12 complainants and being their parish priest or assistant parish priest, but insisted he never acted inappropriately at any time.
Holmes didn?t deny being with the complainants and other circumstantial evidence about location and time, but insisted he never engaged in any sexual misconduct.
When asked by Buttazzoni about the specific allegations of indecent assault, Holmes replied firmly "I did not" or "I did not do that" to every allegation.
Some of the complainants continued to associate with the priest. He said had no idea why some of the complainants said they quit church activities such as being altar servers or choir members.
While he loved to hug all his parishioners and would "peck" the younger ones often, he never indulged in passionate kissing in a sexual manner, said Holmes.
He had a serious back operation in 1970 and this prevented him from physically performing some of the acts as testified to by some of the complainants, said Holmes.
Holmes denied allegations he laid on a couch with two complainants between ages nine and 12 and stroked their breasts.
"I told everyone they were beautiful because to me everyone is beautiful" but that doesn?t mean he did anything inappropriate to any young girl, Holmes reiterated.
Holmes invited all parishioners to visit him if they needed a friendly ear to listen to their problems, he said.
Every complainaint use the word "special" when describing how Holmes made them feel and they all held him in high esteem and said he was friendly, outgoing and charismatic.
That was a reputation he was proud of, said Holmes.
"I have a big profound belief that every person is special and every person is unique and every person has a gift," said Holmes. "I tried to make them feel special because they are special."
Under intense cross-examination by Fuller, Holmes was evasive and argumentative Monday, but much more patient Tuesday as Fuller went through all allegations made by all 12 complainants.
When Fuller asked Holmes why he wore his priest?s collar, but didn?t last week, Holmes said he still considers himself a priest and the collar represented that.
"To me it?s a powerful symbol?I?m proud to be a priest" and he wanted to wear it for his day in court after three years of allegations and innuendo since he was first charged in 1999, said Holmes.
When Fuller suggested priests should know they must keep a certain distance to maintain the trust and respect of their parishioners, Holmes agreed.
Holmes also agreed no parent would allow their young daughters to be alone with a man in his 30s, but would not have that concern if the man were a priest.
Holmes continually answered "that?s your assumption" and ?I do not agree" to Fuller?s questions.
Priests do have to keep their distance and know certain boundaries, but that doesn?t mean you can?t be friendly, outgoing and use friendly hugs and kisses to show affection, said Holmes.
"That?s my public persona?I was programmed to be friendly with everyone," he said.
When Fuller asked Holmes that if the complainants were telling the truth about his touching, fondling or kissing would these acts be indecent and immoral, Holmes agreed they "sure would" but insisted none of the allegations were true.
Throughout Tuesday?s cross-examination, Holmes replied "I disagree", "Ms. Fuller, I do not agree with you" or "that is not true" on at least 50 occasions.
Character witnesses are expected to testify as part of Holmes? defence today.
It?s expected Buttazzoni and Fuller will give closing arguments Thursday.
Justice Louise Gauthier has made it clear she would like the jury to enjoy the Victoria Day long weekend before giving her final submissions Tuesday.
The 11-man, one-woman jury will begin deliberations following Gauthier?s submissions.
