BishopAccountability.org
	Seeking Truth, Justice By Carol Mulligan Sault Star April 26, 2011 http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3095068 SUDBURY -- Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe, the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, said this week his heart goes out to victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests when he hears of such cases. Three new lawsuits were launched against a priest and the diocese last week by three brothers who say they were repeatedly abused by Father John E. Sullivan in 1968 and beyond. Plouffe said he relies on the justice system -- and the lawyers representing victims and the diocese -- to settle the cases in a fair and just manner. "In all fairness, it's justice that you hope through our legal process, and with whatever we can do from both sides," said Plouffe. "It's very important legal counsel on both sides keep this in mind. We seek the truth in this, fairness, truth and justice. But if there's no longing to seek the truth, then ... it sure doesn't make life easier on all who have to deal with it." Plouffe was responding to three separate lawsuits filed by three brothers by Londonbased Ledroit Beckett Litigation Lawyers, which is handling more than a dozen similar lawsuits for sexual abuse alleged to have occurred decades ago by priests with the diocese. The latest were filed jointly against the diocese and Sullivan for abuse three brothers, now in their 50s, say they suffered when Sullivan was serving as chaplain for Canadian Forces Base Falconbridge, which has now been decommissioned. The plaintiffs allege repeated, escalating incidents of sexual assault by the priest, often in their own home. Each of the brothers is suing for about $3 million, the maximum they can seek in damages. Sullivan, now 85, has been retired for years, said Plouffe. He was essentially suspended from his priestly duties more than 20 years ago when criminally convicted for sexual assaults. The three brothers' com-plaints were among 32 charges involving 13 boys, many of them altar servers, filed in 1989 and 1990. Plouffe said Sullivan was "basically suspended from any public form of ministry" when the Church became aware of the criminal charges. Sullivan lives in Montreal now with his sister. Many of the civil lawsuits filed against the diocese involve priests who are now deceased. Priests who are living have a right to fair hearings -- "innocent until proven guilty like any citizen," Plouffe said. Sullivan will hire his own lawyers at his own expense, he added. If a priest admits to improper behaviour, said Plouffe, it is easy to settle cases. "A decision is made and that's it. Then we see how we can come to closure with this, that is a settlement around financial compensation."
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