NEW BRUNSWICK (CANADA)
CBC News
November 16, 2017
By Gabrielle Fahmy
56 lawsuits against Catholic priests currently in front of New Brunswick courts could cost millions
Dozens of new sexual abuse lawsuits involving priests from the Moncton archdiocese are threatening the financial viability of the church.
CBC News found at least 56 lawsuits against the Roman Catholic Church in New Brunswick that are still in front of the courts, and this despite an extensive conciliation process that was conducted a few years ago.
Between 2012 and 2014, the church hired retired judge Michel Bastarache to talk to victims confidentially.
The Moncton archdiocese ended up paying $10.6 million to 109 victims, and the diocese of Bathurst $5.5 million to 90 victims.
It’s estimated victims received between $15,000 and $300,000, depending on the severity of the abuse, how old they were when it started, and how many years it lasted.
What followed were major cutbacks by the church.
In Moncton, diocesan staff was slashed by half, from 19 before 2013 to fewer than 10 now. Only two staff members were kept on full time.
The diocesan centre in Dieppe, which used to be the home of the archbishop, was sold.
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