The sexual assault trial for a Roman Catholic priest has been postponed until late summer.

Fifty-year-old Thomas Offong was charged more than a year ago following an investigation by Holyrood RCMP.

The incident is alleged to have occurred in November of 2023 in Avondale, involving a woman whose name is banned from publication.

The one-day trial was scheduled to start this morning in provincial court in St. John’s. But the judge was informed that the Crown attorney on the case could not proceed due to a medical issue.

With that, a new trial date was set for August 15th.

Offong has served in Avondale, Colliers, Conception Harbour and Burin, but also the Grand Falls-Windsor area.

The Bishop of Grand Falls has urged people to let the court process play out before rushing to judgement in the case.

Offong has been relieved of his duties pending the outcome.