By Natalie Musseau
Gulf News [Canada]
July 9, 2007
http://www.gulfnews.ca/index.cfm?iid=2627&sid=22768
It is still unknown when, or if, sexual abuse victims of the St. George's Catholic Diocese will receive all the money to which they are entitled.
Eight additional claimants will now be included under the case that saw some $13 million awarded to 36 original victims, according to victims' lawyer Greg Stack. The additional claims raise the total amount to approximately $14 million.
Mr. Stack said about $7 million has been distributed to the victims, meaning each one has received about half what they are owed. He questions whether the diocese can come up with the remaining money.
The negotiated payment schedule was extended to give the diocese an extra year, until Dec. 31, 2008, to hand over the rest of the money owed to victims. The payments are in relation to a court case against former priest Kevin Bennett, who was convicted of molesting boys in various churches.
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| Blast from the past — Residents of Burgeo were reminded of days gone by on June 30 when a three-masted ship entered into the harbour. To make things even more interesting, another ship followed to dock at the government wharf shortly thereafter. The ships were from France and on their way to St. Pierre. Passengers on the ship were students and retirees that had set out on a journey around the world. Crowds gathered as the ships docked to admire the beauty of the vessels, bringing back some memories to the elderly people who remember the schooners of days gone by. Both ships quietly departed Burgeo early Sunday afternoon through the thick fog that stuck on Burgeo shores. Photo by Yvonne Durnford |
Mr. Stack said Bishop Douglas Crosby, now head of the diocese, hasn't been forthcoming with information about how efforts to find the money are proceeding or what he is doing to raise the money.
"We're doing our best," said Bishop Crosby. He said the diocese's corporation agreed to give everything it had to the sexual abuse victims.
All the corporation's assets have been turned over, said the bishop, and many of the properties owned by the diocese have been sold with the money going to the victims.
Another corporation controlled by the diocese repurchased many of the important church buildings, known as core properties. Bishop Crosby said donations came in from across the country to help the diocese retain the properties and continue the ministry in the area.
Mr. Stack questions the action. He said the transfer of the properties from one diocese corporation to another may be an attempt to protect the properties from future claims.
It is possible that more victims will come forward in the future, as there is no time limit on cases involving sexual abuse. New claims may not be able to target assets held by the new corporation.
"We may have to deal with this as a legal challenge down the road," said Mr.Stack.
Bishop Crosby said the donations were specifically intended to help the diocese hang on to its core properties.
"I don't know that people would have given money to give directly to the victims," said the bishop.
He said the diocese is still in negotiations with its insurance company, but he is hopeful a large portion of the outstanding money will come from that source. Bishop Crosby added there are also a few outstanding property sales, such as the YMCA building in Corner Brook, that could net significant money.
"I'm still hopeful," he said. "We have tried to remain focused and committed to the process that we agreed upon, and we remain so, for the benefit of all."
Contact: nmusseau@gulfnews.ca
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