Cornwall News AM 1220

September 04, 2008 — A Cornwall bishop has apologized for abuse caused by priests of the local diocese. Bishop Paul Andre Durocher read a statement at the Cornwall Public Inquiry yesterday after he finished testifying. He expressed deep regret for all the pain that has been caused. (Hear audio clip below) Testimony from the Children's Aid Society is scheduled to begin at 11:30am this morning.  

[Transcript of audio clip: 

As leader of this Diocese, I apologize to all those who have been sexually abused. I apologize to all who were disappointed by the way their complaints or concerns were handled, and I commit myself again to continued action in building a better future for those who were directly or indirectly hurt and for all members of our community. ]

Tracking Problem Priests

Cornwall News AM 1220

September 03, 2008 — The Catholic Church is now screening priests more closely when they are transferred from one diocese to another. There are at least two historic cases in Cornwall where either a convicted priest came to minister in the area or a convicted priest was transferred outside of Cornwall. Local bishop, Paul Andre Durocher, told the Cornwall Public Inquiry yesterday that when a priest is transferred to another diocese, he forwards the priest's personnel file and he expects the same courtesy. (Hear audio clip below.) Durocher also made some recommendations to the commissioner by suggesting the province put as much effort into an inquiry follow-up as it has to the inquiry itself.

[Transcript of audio clip:   it is now an established way of doing things in the Catholic Church. There’s no diocese that will take on a priest in the diocese without being completely aware of that priest’s background; not anymore. I think that lesson has been learned seriously. ]