Category: Child Abuse

Pope Begs Forgiveness – But Doesn’t Apologize

I posted earlier today that the Pope has begged for forgiveness from survivors of priest sexual abuse. Unfortunately, the statement did not contain an apology or any acknowlegement that the Vatican or the Catholic Church were to blame for the tidal wave of priest abuse claims that have crossed the Atlantic from North America and swept across the U.K. and Europe.

Blame Everyone – Admit Nothing

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The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst has asked the Vatican to laicize a former priest from the Diocese, Father Levi Noel, who has been sentenced to eight years in jail for 22 sex related criminal offences.

Father Wesley Wade, spokesperson for the Diocese of Bathurst has told CBC news that the request is in the hands of the Vatican.

Laicization is a penalty imposed under the Code of Canon Law (Church law) where a priest is stripped of the right to perform priestly duties.

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Justice Normand Glaude has released his report in the Cornwall Inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse.

Justice Glaude said during a press conference that:

“Institutions were ill equipped to deal with allegations about their own employees…institutions tend to try to find a way out, allowing individuals to stay under ineffective conditions that failed to protect the vulnerable.”

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Pope Benedict XVI has issued a statement saying he”shares the outrage, betrayal and shame felt by so many of the faithful in Ireland (over) these heinous crimes,” over reports that church leaders in Ireland covered up sexual abuse by priests for decades.

Just a Few Bad Apples

The Pope’s statement expressed his “profound regret” at the actions of “some members of the clergy”.

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Class Action Deadline

December 4, 2009 was an important deadline under the class action settlement agreement reached with the Diocese of Antigonish. If anyone opted out of the class action settlement on or before December 4, 2009, the Diocese had the right to pull out of the class action.

Similarly, if more than 70 people came forward before December 4, 2009 indicating that they wanted to pursue a claim against the Diocese, Ron Martin had the option to pull out of the class action.

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