Judge declares MCC Canada service worker innocent

MCC Canada (MCCC) has received official confirmation from a judge in Cuauhtemoc, Mexico that John Janzen is innocent of all charges laid against him in early April. After reviewing the charges, the judge issued a written decision declaring that no evidence has been presented to substantiate the charges.

The written decision brings an end to the investigation that began on April 6 with Janzen’s arrest in Mexico. According to an account by the Janzens for the bulletin of Winkler MB Church, their home church, Janzen stopped to assist two women who appeared to have car trouble, only to find the following day that they had “trumped up a variety of lewd charges against him.”

“It is good to see this positive outcome,” said Don Peters, MCCC Executive Director. “The Janzens’ experience underscores both the challenges and the opportunities of the service assignment they accepted.” Peters also expressed gratitude for the very capable support of the local Mennonite leaders during the investigation.

Janzen, a retired school principal from Winkler, Man., and his wife, Ruth, began a two-year service assignment at the new Addictions Treatment Centre near the city of Cuauhtemoc in September 2003. They offered support in establishing the guiding principles for the centre, facilitating job-training programs for local staff, assisting in the development of prevention programs and in writing job descriptions. The centre celebrated its grand opening on Feb. 15, 2004.

With the completion of their two-year service term in Mexico, the Janzens have returned to North America.

—Herb Heppner, MCC; Winkler MB Church bulletin