Focus on truth at Cornwall inquiry

30 March 2007

By CANADIAN PRESS

CORNWALL — There were at least three errors in an affidavit filed on behalf of one abuse victim, an inquiry probing the institutional response to allegations of systemic sexual abuse in the Cornwall area heard Thursday.

“Affidavits like this only add to some of the rumours and innuendos that we’re here trying to separate fact from fiction,” said Giuseppe Cipriano, an attorney representing Rev. Charles MacDonald at the inquiry.

On Wednesday, hearings centred around the fact that some of the affidavits filed as part of the standing and funding application by The Victims Group contain factual errors.

In an affidavit reviewed Wednesday, a reference to the abuse resulting in a loss of faith in the Catholic church was determined to be false.

On Thursday, the subject of the second affidavit took the stand at the inquiry.

The man, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, is referred to at the inquiry as C-10. The man said he attended a meeting with a group of other victims and alleged victims.

Chairing the meeting were John Swales, a client support worker with the London, Ont.-based law firm Ledroit Beckett, and Dallas Lee, an attorney working with the firm.

“I didn’t really read it,” said C-10, referring to the affidavit drafted under his name. “I glanced at the front, but I was busy listening to what was going on.”

Included in a list of individuals C-10 alleges abused him in the 1960s and 1970s is the name Rev. Charles MacDonald.

But C-10 testified Thursday that he never made any allegations involving MacDonald.

Another paragraph contains a reference to C-10 feeling “persecuted” by the provincial police. “I didn’t feel persecuted,” said C-10.

A third paragraph suggests the man suffered abuse “at the hands of Father Gilles Deslauriers.”

“I’ve never even heard his (Deslauriers’) name before,” said C-10. “I looked at it and I just signed it. I shouldn’t have, I guess. I didn’t really read through it.”

Lawyers for The Victims Group have been ordered by the commission to review all of the affidavits filed with the inquiry and any errors or inaccuracies are to be reported within 30 days.

“With respect to any harm, if I can put it that way, that these falsities may have ... caused,” said Commissioner Normand Glaude, “once I’ve made a determination with respect to certain matters (I will) make it very public what my findings are with respect to those matters.”

Cipriano said unfounded allegations have the potential to cause harm to those who are falsely accused, particularly in such a public fashion.

“A lot of scars can be re-opened; old wounds are resurfaced,” said Cipriano.

Cipriano said while he accepts the commission’s ruling to have the affidavits reviewed, he believes further action may be necessary.

“We believe that a further investigation is required as to what went wrong,” he said. “We don’t believe simply that (saying) the affidavit was done in a quick manner is a sufficient explanation.”

Glaude said regardless of how the mistakes occurred the victims and their law firm must understand that “swearing an affidavit is a very serious matter and that it has consequences.”

The inquiry will resume April 18.