Windsor Star
November 26, 2010
http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Windsor+woman+files+abuse+suit+against+Catholic+Church+Michael+Fallona/3883652/story.html
[PDF: Confidential Church Document]
[PDF: Statement of Claim]
[PDF: Affidavit of lawyer Paul Ledroit]
[PDF: Notice of Motion]
 |
| Michael Fallona is seen in this file photo. |
A Windsor woman is suing the Catholic Church for $3 million for sexual abuse she alleges she suffered as a girl at the hands of a Basilian priest at St. Vincent De Paul church in the late 1970s.
Brenda Brunelle has filed a statement of claim in the Superior Court of Justice against Rev. Michael Fallona, the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of the Diocese of London, Bishop Ronald Fabbro and the Congregation of Saint Basil asking for, among other claims, $1.5 million in pecuniary damages and $1 million in punitive damages.
The next hearing is slated for Jan. 11.
Her lawyer, Paul Ledroit — who has represented about 50 victims of sexual abuse at the hands of priests — said that Brunelle initially did not seek legal action against Fallona, who was serving at the church in the 1970s.
She just sought him out 30 years later to speak to him, even to apologize, for her role as his "special friend."
She will not reveal the details of the relationship, but says it was of a sexual nature.
"He denied knowing her and that really upset her," said Ledroit. "It haunted her all her life and she just wanted to deal with it . . . The Basilians did investigate and said Fallona refused to meet with her. She wouldn't let it sit and came to me to issue a claim."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.