Priest Sexual Abuse Archives - Page 7 of 12 - Halifax Sexual Abuse Claims Blog

December 15th, 2009

Newfoundland Diocese Agrees to $200,000.00 Sex Abuse Settlement

Priest Convicted of Sexual Abuse 20 years Ago

More than 20 years ago Father James Hickey was convicted of sexually abusing a number of alter boys in the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Johns, Newfoundland.

Since then, the boys, now men, who were sexually abused by Hickey, have been fighting the Catholic Church in Court seeking compensation for their injuries.

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December 15th, 2009

Pope “Outraged” by Irish Sexual Abuse Scandal

by John McKiggan

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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December 11th, 2009

ANTIGONISH CLASS ACTION TO MOVE FORWARD!

by John McKiggan

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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November 11th, 2009

Antigonish Priest Abuse Class Action Decision Released

by John McKiggan

Justice David MacAdam has released his written reasons certifying Ron Martin’s class action against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish and approving the settlement agreement to compensate victims of priest sexual abuse.

His Lordship Justice MacAdam reviewed in detail the requirements for certification and settlement approval. At paragraph 63 of his decision Justice MacAdam concluded:

I am satisfied on the basis of the submissions and evidence that the action meets the criteria for certification pursuant to ss. 6 and 7 of the Class Proceedings Act.

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October 30th, 2009

Why the Antigonish Diocese Sexual Abuse Class Action Settlement is the Right Thing to do.

by John McKiggan

In 2002, Ronald Martin received a telephone call that his brother, David Martin, had been missing in the woods of British Columbia for 2 weeks. Sixteen days later David’s body was found, with a suicide note stating he had taken his life because he could not endure the pain caused by sexual abuse he had suffered as a child at the hands of Father Hugh Vincent MacDonald, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Antigonish.

A Promise

Ron Martin had been sexually abused by the same priest but neither brother was aware of what the other had suffered. On the day that Ron Martin had to identify his brother’s body, he made a promise that there would be accountability for the abuse they had suffered.

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September 28th, 2009

Bishop Raymond Lahey Resigns as Bishop of Diocese of Antigonish

by John McKiggan

Pope Accepts Lahey’s Resignation
The Pope has accepted the resignation of Bishop Raymond Lahey from the post of Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish.

I have received calls from victims wondering what effect the Bishop’s resignation will have on the Class action settlement to compensate survivors of sexual abuse by priests of the Antigonish Diocese.

Compensation Process Will Continue

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August 17th, 2009

Antigonish Diocese Sexual Abuse Class Action Settlement: Further media reports

by John McKiggan

Here are more media reports about Ron Martin’s class action against the Diocese of Antigonish.

N.S. Church Parishes to Pay in Sex-Abuse Settlement CBC
Interview with Bishop Raymond Lahey CBC Information Morning (requires Real Player)

Diocese to Pay $13 Million to Abuse Victims Chronicle Herald
Brother Fulfills Promise with Sexual Abuse Class Action Suit Metro News
Diocese Gives Settlement, Apology to Abuse Victims Port Hawkesbury Reporter
Diocese Settles Lawsuit for $13 Million Antigonish Casket
Sex Abuse Settlement by Church Historic TheSpec.com
Historic Settlement Reached Cape Breton Post
More Information

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August 7th, 2009

Settlement in Antigonish Diocese Priest Sexual Abuse Class Action!

by John McKiggan

I am pleased to announce that Ronald Martin’s class action against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish on behalf of persons who were sexually abused by priests employed by the Diocese has been settled.

Settlement Agreement

At a press conference today, Ron Martin and Bishop Raymond Lahey signed a settlement agreement to resolve the class action lawsuit.

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June 22nd, 2009

Sins of the Fathers: Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Dublin

by John McKiggan

The sexual abuse scandal in catholic schools in Ireland has documented a “substantial level of sexual abuse” in Catholic run schools in Ireland.

Now, TV3 has produced a documentary called “Abuse of Trust: Sins of the Fathers” which documents some of the horror stories of sexual abuse by priests who were part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin.

The documentary uncovers a pattern that has been repeated time and time again in countries around the world. Roman Catholic Priests sexually abusing children and persons of authority within the church covering up the allegations and moving sexually predatory priests from parish to parish.

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May 20th, 2009

Catholic Church Covered Up Child Sexual Abuse in Irish Schools: What else is new?

by John McKiggan

After ten years of investigations a government inquiry into sexual abuse in Catholic run schools, orphanages and hospitals has released an exhaustive and damning report.

Abuse Endemic
The inquiry commission uncovered:
…a substantial level of sexual abuse of boys in care that extended over a range from improper touching and fondling to rape with violence.
Corporal punishment in girls’ schools was:
pervasive, severe, arbitrary and unpredictable.
Church Knew About Dangers

The Commission determind that:
The recidivist nature of sexual abuse was known to religious authorities.
Church Concerned About Reputation, Not Risk to Children

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Category: Priest Sexual Abuse