A retired priest from Branch has been charged with sexual offences. RCMP Placentia says 79-year-old Peter Power has been charged with invitation to sexual to be sexual touching, sexual assault and committing an indecent act.
 
The complaint was filed with the RCMP on March 8; the incident is alleged to have occurred in a private residence in Branch a few days prior and involved two individuals in their teens.

Since retiring to the community, Power has continued to be involved with the Roman Catholic Church, occasionally leading Mass in the area.
 
He is scheduled to be in court in Harbour Grace on September 9 to answer to the charges.
 
Anyone with information on that investigation is asked to contact Placentia RCMP 709-227-2000 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.