Vernon Larthur Hirtle, of Mississauga, also known as Arthur Hirtle, was charged last year by Toronto Police with sexual assault and sexual exploitation in relation to several incidents between 1987 and 1990 involving a girl who was aged 10-13 in that time frame.
She claimed to have been sexually assaulted by a man at a private residence, police said.
But last Thursday, the Crown prosecutor in the case withdrew the charges.
Hirtle has been a pastor since the 1940s, working in various locations in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Staring in 1984 he served as interim pastor for Mississauga City Baptist Church on Cawthra Rd. and continued to serve there until as recently as 1999.
Hirtle said he knew the girl's family and helped them immigrate to Canada, but he has steadfastly maintained his innocence in this case.
Hirtle told The News he feels vindicated and is pleased that justice has been served.
The Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec (BCOQ), a family of about 360 churches, suspended Hirtle's pastoral credentials when he was charged. They have since re-instated them.
Laurie Barber, director of missional initiatives at BCOQ, said Hirtle had a "real passion for helping immigrants get established in their respective communities," and has had a "long history of faithful pasturing."
Parishioners of the Mississauga church expressed shock over the charges. Many who spoke with The News described Hirtle as a good man who cared about the congregation.
lrosella@mississauga.net
