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	Catholic Priest Released on Bail One Day after Sentencing for Sexual Abuse By Kirk Makin Globe and Mail November 11, 2009 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/catholic-priest-released -on-bail-one-day-after-sentencing-for-sexual-abuse/article1358880/ A Catholic priest who moved from parish to parish in Northern Ontario for a decade abusing altar boys was freed on bail yesterday, less than 24 hours after he was sentenced to five years behind bars. Mr. Justice Michael Moldaver of the Ontario Court of Appeal characterized his decision to grant Father Bernard Cloutier bail as "a very close call" - particularly given the judge's misgivings about how the public might react to his prompt release. "The public could lose faith in the administration of justice if they see this as a revolving door - he's in for a day and then he's out," he remarked. Judge Moldaver also observed that Father Cloutier's crimes were "extremely serious" and that his grounds of appeal are weak. Still, the judge said the 68-year-old priest presents no danger to the community and his appeal will be heard as soon as possible. Father Cloutier was convicted of four counts each of indecent assault and gross indecency, as well as two counts of sexual assault. In sentencing him Monday, Mr. Justice Paul Kane of the Ontario Superior Court condemned Father Cloutier's superior, Bishop Gerard Dionne, for trying to forestall criminal charges being laid against the priest 25 years ago. In one damning episode, Judge Kane found that Bishop Dionne and Father Cloutier appeared uninvited at an emotional meeting held at the home of one of the altar boys in 1983. Two Sudbury Regional Police investigators who had arranged the meeting were cowed into submission by the appearance of the clergymen. Yesterday, Crown counsel Gillian Roberts told Judge Moldaver that the bishop "took over the investigation," and that Father Cloutier joined in his attempt to thwart justice. "He went from parish to parish insinuating himself into the lives of these boys," Ms. Roberts said. "In this sense, he can be called a repeat offender." However, defence counsel Brian Greenspan insisted that his client must be considered a first-time offender who presents no threat to the community. "It is simply wrong to visit upon Cloutier the sins of the bishop," he said. "I'm not sure about that," Judge Moldaver interjected. "It seems to me that if you know someone higher up is using his or her influence to get you out of something, and you just sit there doing nothing, it does go to your character." In an interview yesterday, one of the victims - known only as R.R. - said Father Cloutier's sentencing was a cathartic experience for him. "It's like I had a big boulder pressing on my shoulders, and that boulder is now off," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, whether he gets 10 days, one year or 10 years, I got closure and justice; a judge believed me and he got convicted." However, he added that nothing can restore his faith in the Roman Catholic Church: "I have lost my faith in the church and, I think, in God."
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