ST. JOHN'S (CANADA)
VOCM [St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada]
March 20, 2023
A survivor of clergy abuse and advocate for others who have suffered is putting pressure on local entities to release the names of priests accused of sexual abuse.
The Jesuits of Canada recently published the names and parishes of 27 men who had been convicted of sexually assaulting or abusing children.
Gemma Hickey is part of a group advocating for the release of the names of credibly accused priests.
Locally, they would like to see Catholic entities, including the Archdiocese of St. John’s, release such lists.
Hickey says releasing the names is important because it helps survivors understand they’re not alone, and helps the general public realize how big the issue is.
Releasing the Parishes is also critical, they state, because it helps them link when a priest was moved and where they were moved to.
Hickey notes that there’s a local connection in the Jesuits’ list.
They say Lorne Trainor, who’s listed under the category of “multiple allegations,” taught at Gonzaga High School. They say the man died in the year 2000.
Hickey states that releasing such details is a matter of public safety.
They say that churches at the local, national, and international level need a zero tolerance policy, and they will be keeping the pressure on for that.