Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean has accepted a Roman Catholic priest's resignation from the Order of Canada.

Jean approved the termination of Father Lucien Larré on Nov. 30, 2009, according to the Jan. 9 edition of the Canada Gazette.

Larré, who worked in Saskatchewan in the 1980s and in recent years has lived in British Columbia, returned the award 18 months ago after Dr. Henry Morgentaler was named to the Order.

Morgentaler spent much of his career performing abortions and fighting for a woman's right to have the procedure.

Larré was awarded his Order of Canada in 1983 for the work he did running homes for troubled young people in Saskatchewan in the 1970s and '80s.

In 1992, Larré was convicted of two counts of physically abusing children in his care, but he was later pardoned for those offences.

Announcing his decision to return the honour in 2008, Larré said he meant no disrespect to the Governor General, but felt Morgentaler's appointment degraded the award for those who believe in the sanctity of life.