The Winnipeg Police Service has made an arrest in connection to a historical child abuse investigation. 

Police say in spring of 2018, an adult male victim disclosed a series of sexual assaults occurring between 1982 and 1988 while he was a youth resident at the St. Boniface Minor Seminary.

Police say 70-year-old Roland Lanoie, who was an ordained Priest holding various positions within the Archdiocese of St. Boniface at the time of the offences, was arrested on October 3rd, 2018 and charged.

He has since been released from custody.

The Archdiocese of Saint Boniface released a statement from spokesman Richard Frechette on Monday saying that the Archdiocese began working closely with the victim, the Winnipeg Police as well as Child and Family Services of Winnipeg as soon as the situation was made known to it in December of 2016.

An internal investigation was conducted by the Archdiocese in 2017, eventually leading to Archbishop Albert LeGatt issuing a Decree of Permanent Suspension of Faculties of Priestly Ministry to Lanoie in December of 2017.

"Each time the heinous crime of sexual abuse is reported, victims and their families are wounded again, the vast majority of faithful priests bow their heads in shame, and sincere Catholics, Christians and people of good will, experience shock, sorrow, anger and righteous indignation," said the statement.

Every single abuse case involving a minor, no matter when it took place, is wrong and we must listen attentively and respond compassionately to those who have been victimized and hurt, particularly if the abuser is connected in any way with our Church. The Archdiocese of Saint Boniface stands in solidarity with all victims and endeavours to be an instrument of reconciliation and healing for them."

The allegations have not been proven in court.