Former Area Priest Facing Civil Suit

By Ricardo Veneza
Blackburn News
November 16, 2015

https://blackburnnews.com/chatham/chatham-news/2015/11/16/former-area-priest-facing-civil-suit/

TalachLawyer Rob Talach and John, whose real name has not been released, speak to the press about the civil suit facing area priest Linus Bastien on Monday, November 16, 2015. (Photo by Alexandra Latremouille)

A civil suit is being launched against former Windsor and Chatham area priest Linus Bastien and the Roman Catholic Diocese of London.

Bastien was first arrested in October 2011 and charged with indecent assault linked to his time ministering in Maidstone.

Speaking to BlackburnNews.com, lawyer Rob Talach with Beckett Personal Injury Lawyers in London says the civil case will force Father Bastien to the stand.

“I like to think the evidence is more complete in a civil case because one side doesn’t have the cop-out of being able to sit there silent,” says Talach.

The London-based lawyer is representing three complainants he says are tired of waiting on the criminal case against Bastien to move forward. Talach says his clients are worried Bastien may not face justice as the former priest nears 90 years old and felt the need to move forward with the civil case.

“The unfortunate reality of our justice system is the only currency is money and I know a lot of people instantly go, ‘It’s all about money,’ but what other currency do we have that crosses all barriers?” says Talach, adding getting compensation for his clients isn’t the only priority. “On a societal level, it’s the money that is lost by the institution because that’s often the motivation for systemic change and more vigilance and the like.”

Bastien served at parishes in Windsor, Maidstone, Wheatley, Stevenson, St. Joachim and Tilbury.

He’s been arrested and charged multiple times with sexual related offences.