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	Diocese Facing Lawsuit Daily Observer April 7, 2008 http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=974648 Victims of convicted sex offender Monsignor Bernard Prince, are launching a civil lawsuit against the former priest and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pembroke. The London law firm of Ledroit Beckett Litigation Lawyers will publicly announce its intentions at a press conference today at the Best Western Inn and Conference Centre in Pembroke. In a media release, the law firm indicates that part of the purpose of the conference is to allow the victims to begin their own personal healing by publicly speaking about their abuse. The victims are also expected to comment on the prosecution of Monsignor Prince. Ordained in 1963, Monsignor Prince was convicted on Jan. 14, 2008 of 13 counts of criminal sexual offences. The retired Roman Catholic priest served in the Diocese of Pembroke nearly 25 years ago and was once a Vatican official. Ledroit Beckett is a civil litigation law firm that has a province-wide focus on representing victims of sexual abuse and advocating for their financial compensation. A significant component of the firm's practice deals with cases of clergy sexual abuse. The release also states the victims of the disgraced priest hope to further the awareness of childhood sexual abuse "...in an effort to generate something positive from such a negative experience in their lives." Monsignor Bernard Prince is spending the next four years in a federal penitentiary for sexually abusing 13 boys nearly 25 years ago. He pleaded guilty to 12 charges and not guilty to a thirteenth in January, however a trial on the latter found him guilty on that charge as well. The monsignor's name has been added to the national sex offenders registry. A sample of his DNA is also included in a data bank alongside those of other known criminals.When released from prison he will be under a lifetime ban prohibiting him from being near any child under the age of 14. The press conference will begin at 10:30 a.m.
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