CANADA
Catholic Register
Written by Catholic Register Staff
Thursday, 08 November 2012 16:34
ANTIGONISH, N.S. – The diocese of Antigonish in Nova Scotia no longer owes $16 million to 125 victims of clerical sexual abuse.
The diocese has made its final payment to settle a class-action lawsuit, the Canadian Press reports. The settlement was negotiated by former Bishop Raymond Lahey, who was arrested on charges of importing child pornography just three weeks after announcing the deal to settle claims dating as far back as the 1950s.
The lawsuit was initiated in 2002 by Ron Martin, whose brother committed suicide that year leaving a note about abuse he suffered at the hands of Fr. Hugh Vincent MacDonald. MacDonald was charged in 2003 but died before his trial could come to a conclusion.
The last payment is not the end of the process of healing, said diocesan spokesman Fr. Don MacGillivray.
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