Carole St-Aubin
Pontiac Nov 22, 2021
In a Sunday Facebook post, Justin Bertrand explained that he had handed in his resignation to the Bishop of the Pembroke Diocese, Guy Desrochers, this past . . .
Friday and that it had been accepted by the Bishop.
His reasons, as he describes, are that he no longer felt safe and properly supported as a victim of harassment and abuse in his workplace, both of a psychological and sexual nature.
“I was not being properly supported, and it was not being handled well by the administration,” said Bertrand
Bertrand, a Calumet Island native, was ordained on June 24, 2017, said that while he has not lost his faith, he does need time to process, focus and heal from his experience.
“It wasn’t an easy decision for me, but I have to take my mental health and sanity into account,” Bertrand told THE EQUITY.
While Bertrand says he has not lost his faith, and publicly thanked everyone for the support he has received throughout his life, studies and while in the ministry, he does not intend to go back to priesthood.
Bertrand said he is now returning to everyday life and will be looking for a “regular joe” kind of job, adding, “it will definitely not be in the ministry.”
Many messages have since been posted to Bertrand’s page as a show of support as well as messages from other members of the clergy.
