CtK teacher facing charge of forcible confinement

A teacher at Georgetown's Christ the King Secondary School has been charged in connection with an alleged attempt to deprogram a woman who joined an evangelical Christian group in Hamilton. Charged by Hamilton Police with forcible confinement is Lucie Brun Del Re, 54. The charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Joe O'Hara, executive officer of human resources services with the Halton Catholic District School Board, said Brun Del Re is a French teacher at the Georgetown high school, and continues to work there. "We're comfortable that she can continue to fulfill her duties and obligations," said O'Hara. He added the charge has been reported to the Ontario College of Teachers. Also charged in the incident is Dr. Renato Brun Del Re, 53, a family physician in Mississauga and his son Giancarlo, 25. They have been charged with kidnapping and forcible confinement. The maximum sentence upon conviction is life in prison. Hamilton Police laid the charges in connection with the alleged abduction of a woman who three years ago joined the Dominion Christian Centre (DCC). Members of the Christian group deny allegations of being a religious cult. Police say the woman was snatched near the church just before Christmas and held 10 days before she was able to escape. Police say the victim was walking to work at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 21 when she was forced into a van by a group of men and taken to a location in Halton. Police say they are looking for more suspects. Pastor Peter Rigo, a former painter and decorator who founded the DCC six years ago, said a well-known American deprogrammer was brought to Halton to try to talk the woman into leaving the group. Rigo, 41, runs the centre along with his wife Peggy. He said the DCC is nothing more than a bible-based church that believes in praying for the revitalization of downtown Hamilton and positive change for people through believing in Christ. The accused are to return to court on September 25.