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	Mancini: Priests’ Actions "Criminal" By Brian Medel The Chronicle-Herald February 3, 2011 http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1225609.html [the letter] The actions of some Roman Catholic priests in western Nova Scotia have been nothing short of shocking, says Archbishop Anthony Mancini of the Archdiocese of Halifax. "The behaviour of these priests and their failures are criminal, immoral and shameful," Mancini said in a letter released to churchgoers in the Diocese of Yarmouth on the weekend. "There is no excuse for it and there is not much that can be done to change what has happened." The two-page letter, dated Jan. 24, deals with the fallout from sexual abuse of boys and girls at the hands of some priests many years ago. "What we can do and must do is try to right the wrongs and make financial settlements as best we can with those who have suffered the effects of sexual abuse," said Mancini, who is also the apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Yarmouth. Six people in southwestern Nova Scotia who were childhood victims recently shared a total settlement of $1.5 million, with individual payouts varying. "No one feels good about having to pay out settlements — yet that is the cost for the sins of our past," wrote Mancini. Jeanne Doucette of Lower Wedgeport, Yarmouth County is one of the six. She hasn’t been in a church since Christmas but read Mancini’s letter recently with some reservations. "He says no one feels good about paying these kinds of settlements," said Doucette. "For me, it’s almost like he’s regretting what the victims are getting. "He talks about how difficult it was for them to do the mediation. Well, if it was difficult for them to do the mediation, they should have well-imagined how difficult it was for us. "There’s nothing in there that apologizes, as far as I’m concerned." Doucette and her sister Margaret Deveau launched civil lawsuits in 2010 as victims of the late Rev. Edward Theriault. Theriault was convicted in 1993 of indecent assault against Deveau. He did no jail time but was ordered to pay a $10 victim fine surcharge and perform 500 hours of community service. An additional charge against Theriault accusing him of assaulting Doucette was withdrawn by the Crown. "This time around, we got much more support than we did 18 years ago," said Doucette. A news release issued last month by Marilyn Sweet, communications officer for the Archdiocese of Halifax and the Diocese of Yarmouth, said Mancini would make no public comment on settled or pending abuse cases until additional mediation processes have concluded. In the letter to parishioners, Mancini said the Catholic Church will be stretched to the limit of its capacity to pay out settlements. "We hope to survive, poorer yes, but alive nevertheless," he wrote. Church sources have suggested that some assets in western Nova Scotia may have to be sold. Mancini did not say so in his letter but did prepare parishioners for what may be coming next. "No doubt it will be necessary to find alternative ways of financing the next few years and we have competent persons who are generously giving their time and talent to help us through this present state of affairs." Doucette said she does not think little parishes should have to suffer. "I don’t think that people should lose their churches. I don’t think that it should be the people that are paying." The Diocese of Antigonish is selling 18 church-owned properties in northeastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton to help cover a $15-million class-action settlement brokered by former Bishop Raymond Lahey, who is facing trial in May on charges of importing and possessing child pornography in 2009. Another $3 million is to go toward settling individual suits against the church. Contact: bmedel@herald.ca
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