Bishop backtracks

LaRocque apologizes for blaming priest over mishandled sex abuse complaint

01 August 2008

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

A contrite Eugene LaRocque backtracked on testimony he gave Thursday accusing his own delegate of not handling David Silmser's abuse allegations properly.

The 81-year-old former bishop told the Cornwall Public Inquiry Friday morning he “wasn't feeling that well” when he blamed Msgr. Donald McDougald for not following the Alexandria-Cornwall Roman Catholic Diocese's draft protocol on handling sexual abuse complaints.

McDougald was acting as the diocese's delegate on abuse matters when Silmser came forward in late 1992 alleging he had been sexually abused as an altar boy by Rev. Charles MacDonald.

On Thursday, the inquiry learned the committee McDougald helmed did not keep notes of their meetings with either MacDonald or Silmser.

Nor did they tell Silmser why they declined to inform the Children's Aid Society of his allegations. Both actions violated draft guidelines diocesan officials had drawn up in the spring of 1992.

LaRocque had been testifying for about five hours Thursday when he said he would have had "to be God" to have known everything that was happening in the diocese, including whether McDougald was following the guidelines.

Before his fourth day of testimony began, he apologized to McDougald and accepted responsibility for the lack of oversight.

“In no way do I want to blame my former vicar general, Msgr. McDougald, for any of this,” LaRocque said. “I should have realized it was the first time we were using this protocol. I should have monitored it much more closely.”

MacDonald had abuse charges stayed against him in 2002 after a judge ruled they had taken too long to come to trial. He has always maintained his innocence.

McDougald has not yet testified at the inquiry, which resumes Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m.

Why wasn't the bishop charged with obstructing justice and why is he not charged with perjury right now? He hired a known pedophile then was surprised when the pedophile did it again. Damn cover up is coming apart isn't it.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #1 By dodger

...and the $32,000 payout was broken down in $10,000, $10,000 and $12,000 so any money paid out by the Diosese would BYPASS the finance committee (mo one would ever know!!!)....But NAH....never was a COVER-UP!!!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #2 By RealityChecker

...just some very very CREATIVE ACCOUNTING.

My concern would be had anyone checked the books of the Diosese to see if it can be determined just How many of these crooked deals bypassed the Bishop???

I'm sure this wasn't the first!!! Just thaT THIS TIME THEY GOT caught!!!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #3 By RealityChecker,

"CREATIVE ACCOUNTING", "COVER-UP", "OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE"?????????? Just ask a lot of the Cornholians even to this very day people. NOTHING HAPPENED, IT'S JUST A FIGMENT OF YOUR IMAGINATION AND HOW DARE YOU "OUT-OF-TOWNERS" TRY TO RUIN OUR "GOOD, PRECIOUS REPUTATION", EH? It didn't happen, just ask the loads of Cornholians and they will still insist to this very day that "NOTHING HAPPENED" AND YOU'RE JUST PICKING ON US! Oh well, I certainly won't have to let them into the "Pearly Gates" as they all can go to hell!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #4 By saintpeter-47,

I've seen corruption and heard lies all through my life but I have NEVER heard such absolute B.S. from those who were suppossed to protect and nurture the children rather than "collect and diddle" and then to lie? No wonder hardly anyone has beliefs in the churches anymore and that can be proven by the dramatic downturn in the various denominations. Oh well, when the old farts in the churches croak, I can go and buy all their neat OLD stuff at "garage sales" at a great bargain cause they're dead and buried and their offspring could care less about their goodies so, thanks very much, at least you are good for that anyway! They're just as secretive and crooked as the governments (Any government!)Dictatorships have formed that way and guess what, I would say we have our own personal "Dictatorships" within the Provincial and Federal Gorvernments, just ask "Dick" the Premier and "Stevie" the Prime Minister and while you're at it, why don't we find out about all of the "Secret Deals" made between "Stevie" the head Canadian dictator and that war-monger,liar and dictaor "Georgie" you know him, George W. Bush, the suppossed leader of the United Snakes of America, they're all just "snake oil salesmen"! The end

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #5 By saintpeter-47,

Soon, I'm hoping we will see that "man of God"?" in the nice blue suit be turned in for one that is "black and white" and put in a place where there will be a certain amount of uncomfortability when he bends over to pick up the soap in the showers at the "Cross-bar Hotel" Git him guys and git him good, reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal good and then say a few "Hail Mary's" and you're good for some more runs at him. Enjoy yourselve and have no pity as he surely didn't!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #6 By grimreaper_47,

When is this all going to stop.I remember as a young man my dad said to me, don:t ever trust the catholic priests there all sex maniacs, now I have to wonder.I'm so disapointed, I'm very devoted cathelic, but I,m not so sure, I feel that you have RAPED ME AS WELL. Your families must be so proud of you.My heart bleeds for all the victoms. Too all the victoms, be strong, GOD will take care of this.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #7 By michaellafrance

I remember one time when I was a young boy in the catholic system, I had the opportunity to meet the bishop, and I did, however he made me feel worthless with his attitude towards me, and the other student he tried to intimadate. Well, you say you don:t feel so well these days, this is the sign from GOD, you will burn in hell for your actions. What else is a secret with you, enjoy your time in hell you devil.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #8 By michaellafrance,