CANADA
Ottawa Sun
CANADA
Ottawa Sun
Mon, May 1, 2006
By CP
CORNWALL - Men claiming they were abused decades ago by community leaders here have been allowed to speak freely at an inquiry examining how their allegations were handled.
Commissioner Normand Glaude ruled Monday that he will allow their testimony, noting it is critical to the fulfilment of the inquiry’s mandate that their voices be heard.
A motion to exclude their testimony had been sought by a lawyer representing Rev. Charles MacDonald, a retired priest accused of being part of a group of pedophiles that allegedly victimized children for decades.
Charges against MacDonald were stayed in May 2002 after a judge ruled his right to a speedy trial had been violated. MacDonald’s lawyer had argued that allowing victims to testify about unproven claims would hurt his client’s reputation.