An elderly priest facing indecent assault charges involving boys at his Maidstone parish 33 years ago, has passed away.
The lawyer representing Father Linus Bastien, Patrick Ducharme, confirms his death.
"Father Linus Bastien passed away peacefully at his residence Sunday night," says Ducharme.
The Diocese of London has also issued a statement.
"The Diocese of London takes any allegation very seriously and cooperates fully with the authorities investigating them."
Ducharme says once there is a proper death certificate, "we will go before the court, which we expect to do shortly -- we would advise the court of his death and the prosecutor will indicate they are not proceeding with the charges, and they'll withdraw the charges."
Bastien and the Diocese are also named in a civil suit filed by the alleged victims of sexual assault.
Lawyer Rob Talach with Beckett Personal Injury Lawyers who represents complainants in the civil case says his clients are disappointed.
"They are very upset with this outcome. The writing was on the wall though considering the pace of the criminal prosecution," says Talach.
The civil case will continue against the Diocese of London.
"I always say time tells all trusts and we'll still be able to question the Diocese and other priests and get to the bottom of what really happened," says Talach.
The Diocese says Bastien served in several parishes in the Windsor-Essex area since 1951, including St.Mary's Parish in Maidstone.
