BishopAccountability.org
	Nfld. Diocese Apologizes for Sexual Abuse CBC News [Canada] July 26, 2005 A Roman Catholic diocese in Newfoundland issued a formal apology Monday for the sexual abuse inflicted on dozens of boys by one of its priests. But the lawyer representing the victims says it's 16 years too late. Bishop Douglas Crosby issued the apology. Father Kevin Bennett was convicted in 1990 of sexually abusing 36 boys while he worked in the St. George's diocese, largely in communities on the island's south coast. He served four years in prison. Bishop Douglas Crosby issued the apology and said he regrets the court battle over the abuse took so long. Greg Stack, who represents the victims, says it's a skimpy apology, given evidence at Bennett's trial that the bishops of the day were aware of the abuse and did nothing about it. "They fought this, which was basically denying liability, denying responsibility, for 16 years," Stack said. Meanwhile, the diocese mailed out last week the first $1.8 million in a $13-million compensation settlement to victims. The initial $1.8 million comes from the diocese's cash reserves. Most of its assets will be sold over the next two and a half years to help raise the remainder.