SQLFusion - No priest with background of abuse would join diocese

No priest with background of abuse would join diocese

Bishop says today's church would not allow it

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

03 September 2008

Posted By GREG PEERENBOOM

Bishop Paul André Durocher assured the Cornwall Public Inquiry that priests with a background of committing abuse will not join the diocese.

Durocher, who testified Tuesday under examination by commission counsel Pierre Dumais, outlined preventive steps taken by his administration.

He said it was mandatory for information on a candidate priest be provided by other dioceses, and that such information would be provided by him to other bishops.

The inquiry learned from former diocese bishop Eugene LaRocque that he knowingly hired a priest who faced criminal charges involving boys while serving in New York state.

The current bishop was also asked by Dumais to demonstrate his involvement with a former priest, Paul Lapierre, who was convicted in 2004 of an assault charge in a Quebec court.

RELIEVED OF DUTIES

Even though Lapierre had not served locally since 1969, Durocher relieved him of his ministerial duties after his Quebec conviction.

Commissioner Normand Glaude questioned why Durocher did not defrock Lapierre.

The bishop replied that move would be warranted if a priest did not co-operate with specific orders, such as continuing to perform clerical duties despite being removed from active ministry. Durocher also revealed the sometimes trying circumstances involving the aftershocks of the sex abuse allegations involving the diocese.

He saw first hand the lack of trust shown by victim advocacy groups.

Shortly after his installment, the groups met with Durocher, but further dialogue became strained.

Durocher said he was accused of lying because he wasn't becoming forthright until he found out more about who these men (the advocacy groups) represented in the community.

Durocher was further taken aback when he confronted Garry Guzzo about the former judge and MPP's assertion the diocese had paid out $100,000 to keep allegations quiet.

Durocher was exasperated when he learned from Guzzo that he had assumed there was a payoff.

The bishop returns to the inquiry today for cross-examination.

Article ID# 1182559
Comments on this Article.
Durocher was exasperated when he learned from Guzzo that he had assumed there was a payoff. Why would anyone not assume there was a payoff if it has happened before. Imagine how exasperated the victims were when they were victimized. What is anyone to think of this whole affair and why should anyone trust the church officials after everything that has gone on. Reply | Report | Page Top Post #1 By dodger

I would hope that any priest, or bishop, or even nun, with a past history of the sexual butchery of children and/or young people, would no longer be in ministry; that such an unworthy person of would be stripped of any sacred, or secular affiliation with our church, anywhere in the world. Reply | Report | Page Top Post #2 By pearlygirl

The catholic faith beleives that people can change. Even Christ supported Mary of Magdalene. That being said they also have something called an eye for an eye. Reply | Report | Page Top Post #3 By itinerant,

Desperate people will take desperate measures to ensure the secret remains a secret.“Dumb and Dumber”, or is it a veiled attempt to influence and shape public opinion?
“Itinerant” and “2sides”, the “one-two”, “one-two”. The “tag team”. One rarely “posts” without the other. They have been posting on this site since “the get go”. Rarely are their posts of any real substance; more often they ridicule the writings of others, but always, they have a direct, comment, challenging opposing viewpoints.
As if no one else is allowed to express an opposing opinion, without ridicule from these two. How typically Cornwall.
Readers, during my residency in Cornwall, Ontario, CANADA, I witnessed these characteristics as typical day to day behaviours, being displayed by many of the “senior” business people, religious people, justice system people including police, political people and other prominent citizens and their loyal, obedient servants.
These are typical abusive and controlling behaviours, displayed by the “powers that be” and their surrogates, to maintain “power and control”.
“Itinerant” and “2sides”; wouldn’t it be lovely if the readers could read your posts over the past several months, to really form an opinion on “who” you are? In fact, if they could only read all the posts we, who have been posting for some time, have contributed, including the messages to/from each other. I’m certain the readers, especially the new one’s would most likely conclude, you two are either idiots or complicit to this whole sordid affair and trying desperately to influence readers through your intimidation and veiled implications, while at the same time, trying to present yourselves as law abiding, open-minded people. Again, how typical of the Cornwall “selected”, blind followers.
I mean are you two, “Claud Hopper” and “Father Baloney?”
What are you two going to do when this inquiry wraps up and when Perry is “long gone”… out of the picture? You and Cornwall will be just the same as it always was and will be. And, the same old, same old “good old boys” will get the government dollars that will flow into the city, temporarily, trying to “put on a new face”. However, if “nothing changes, then, nothing changes”. Just more dollars for the controlling, autocratic and medieval thinking, prominent citizens of Cornwall and their blind followers….yes, looks good for you two. Reply | Report | Page Top Post #4 By JAMES "SPEAK OUT",