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	'Hollow Statement' Selling Bishop's Home Not Enough: Victims By Jane Sims London Free Press [Canada] February 14, 2007 http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/CityandRegion/2007/02/14/3616032-sun.html Victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests from the London diocese want more action on their civil suits — not more publicity about selling off assets. Victims contacted yesterday wished the church had announced protracted litigation had been settled rather than the sale of Bishop Fabbro's stately residence on Central Avenue. "If they want to do something that is proactive and is about the victims, then come up with settlements and say you are going to settle this fairly with everyone now," said Carol Ann Mieras. She was one of 47 girls abused by Rev. Charles Sylvestre, who died in prison last month after he was convicted of 47 counts of indecent assault. Mieras said discussion surrounding the proposed sale of the nine-bedroom house overlooking the Thames River — with a suggested price of $850,000 — is more "a showy thing to do than anything else. ... I think it is a very hollow statement. It's the whole frustration that again it's about them looking good." Diocese officials insisted yesterday the sale of the house, while contemplated for some time, is part of a plan to help victims and demonstrate their commitment to them. The house and several other sites have been part of a list of surplus properties identified a decade ago. Rev. John Sharp, vicar general in charge of the diocese's sexual abuse committee, said insurance doesn't cover all costs related to lawsuits against the church. He declined to say how much money the diocese needs to have on hand. But he added money is not the issue. "The bishop himself has stated his cause was justice and fairness," Sharp said, pointing to the leadership of Bishop Ronald Fabbro. "We are concerned about the justice towards the victims." The house is costly to operate, Sharp noted, and needs repair. "The Sylvestre question wouldn't solely be the reason for (the sale)," he said. Sharp said there was no way of knowing how big a financial hit the diocese will take until all the civil actions — involving Sylvestre and other priests — are resolved. "At the same time, you realize these numbers are pretty hard so there is a need to do some planning around it," he said. Sharp said Fabbro, who has publicly called for the defrocking of abusive priests and pledged his commitment to ending sexual abuse of children, is leading by example. "It shows the leadership that the bishop is saying my home can be first," Sharp said. A draft of the diocese's new sexual assault policy should be available of its website by the end of the month, he said. Paul Ledroit, a lawyer for several Sylvestre victims and others abused by priests, said the diocese is re-victimizing victims by crying poor. Eighty per cent of the money paid out in civil judgments against the church has come from insurance companies, he said. "I don't have any worries the diocese has plenty of money, whatever their portion might be of this," Ledroit said. He added the timing of the house sale announcement coincided with legal examinations of former bishop John Sherlock. Ledroit charged the diocese "wants to create sympathy" and is making the victims feel guilty for their litigation. John Swales, who was abused along with his brothers by Rev. Barry Glendinning and won a $1.4-million settlement, said the diocese is "playing to the audience a bit." "I don't know why selling the bishop's property has anything to do with sexual abuse," he said. "It's a business decision made on behalf of the diocese for whatever their reasons are. "The real litmus test will come from the policies and procedures put into place and programs to afford help to victims and their families." Carolyn Jewell, who was abused by Sylvestre while she was a student at London's Mount St. Joseph's Academy, said she worries the lawsuits are dragging and the diocese is "waiting for (victims) to die off." E-mail: jsims@lfpress.com
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