“Can we in conscience continue to expose children to these scandals”

 Levi Noel (formerly Father Levi Noel)

The Cover-up

“Can we in conscience continue to expose children to these scandals.” (Bishop Edgar Godin)

“…the Diocese submits that neither it nor the Bishops did anything intentionally to abuse, to injure or to assist in the sexual abuse of the victims.”

Unless otherwise indicated, the following information is drawn from information provided by Justice Stephen J. McNally  in his Decision  L’Eveque Catholique Romain de Bathurst and Aviva Insurance Company of Canada This information is said to be that which was entered into evidence at the trial and contained in the personnel file of Father Levi Noel.  The exact quotes from the Decision are indented, numbered in accord with Decision and in italics.

Other dates and information already documented on the Father Noel page have been interspersed in the timelines with the source identified in brackets, ie. Canadian Catholic Church Directory (CCCD), media (M) and personal contact with victims (P).  I know there are many more dates and places out there – I ask that those with further information please contact me or post a comment so that the record can be as complete as is possible at this time.

Names of the reigning bishop of the day are interspersed, in red, for easy reference.

 

Chronology of the cover-up

July 1942:  Camille-Andre LE BLANC installed as Bishop of Bathurst Diocese

06 November 1926:  Levi Noel born

– according to online comment prior to ordination Noel was hopping into bed with a young nephew while staying with family in the St. John’s NB area.

– According to R. c. Noël, 2010 NBCP 8, Father Noel said that he had consensual relationship with older men when he was very young.  He also described himself as a homosexual having consensual homosexual liaisons throughout his life. (Comment)

15 April 1956:  ORDAINED

1956-1958: St. Isidore.   Assisting at St. Isidore Roman Catholic Church, New Brunswick (P) Pastor Father Stanislaw Robichaud (P)

25 April 1956:  Saint Isidore, New Brunswick

1957: 13-year-old  Denis Theriault was sexually abused by Father Levi Noel.  When Denis confessed to Father Stanislaw Robichaud the boy was slapped on the side of the head and told not to speak of this again (Press Statement)

1958:  Denis and a cousin met with Bishop Camille Andre Leblanc .  The boys were ordered to place their hands on the Bible and swear that they would never speak of this again, to anyone (Press Statement)  (it seems there was no record of this in the bishop’s or dioceses files?)

1958 – 1961:   Paquetville.  Assisting at St. Augustin Roman Catholic Church, Paquetville, NB

1959:  Assistant at St. Augustin Roman Catholic Church, Paquetville, New Brunswick (Pastor Father Stanislas Robuchaud) (CCCD)

02 February 1961:  A victim contacts Bishop Camille Andre LeBlanc.  According to Justice McNally’s report,  this is the first complaint raised with the bishop.

(38)  He was transferred to the parish of Paquetville in 1958 where the first complaint was raised against him with the Bishop on February 2, 1961

At that time a parishioner advised the Bishop, Camille Andre LeBlanc, of an accusation against Father Noel “cwn juvenibus,” which was translated by Monsignor Vienneau in his testimony as meaning “with youth”.

According to ‘Bishop LeBlanc’s notes, the youth confided to him as “one of his victims’,’ followed by the Latin words “rem habuisse cum vicario”, the translation of which was not sought from or provided by Monsignor Vienneau. [google translation is:  “had relations with the vicar”]

06 February 1961:  After meeting with the Bishop, Father Noel is sent for a five day stay with the Trappists in Rogersville, New Brunswick

(39) Bishop LeBlanc summoned :father Noel to bis office a few days later and on February 6, 1961 noted that Father Ncrel would be sent for a five day stay with the Trappistes, which was an order of monks with a monastery located in Rogersville,New

07 February 1961:  Bishop LeBlanc writes to Noel confirming their agreement that he, Noel, would be transferred as vicar to Riviere-Portage.

(40) On February 7, 1961, Bishop LeBlanc wrote to Father Noel confirming their agreement that he would be transferred to be the vicar at Riviere-Portage as of February 14. In his letter, the Bishop also says that he will not put to paper what he told Father Noel, that he knows what he must do and instructed him that what occurred must never happen again. The details of what the issue Bishop LeBlanc was referring to and what was specifically discussed with Father Noel does not appear in the Diocese’s personnel file.

05 June 1961:  Bishop LeBlanc is advised by a priest that Father Noel’s conduct has not improved, and refers to inappropriate conduct with a youth.

(41)  Another entry was noted to Father Noel’s file by the Bishop on June 5, 1962 which indicated that the Bishop was advised by a fellow priest that Father Noel’s conduct had not improved. He noted that Father Noel was sleeping in a family home, was up until 2:00 a.m. and it speaks of inappropriate conduct with youth which was affecting the youth’s conscience. It also notes “emotionally unbalanced and grave”.  [1962 seems to be a typo – should be 1961]

13 June 1961:  Bishop sends a letter to Dr. Philippe Michel (a psychiatrist at the Campbellton Provincial Hospital) referring Father Levi Noel to him and hoping that the priest’s issues might be resolved.

(42) …the Bishop sent a letter to Dr.Philippe Michel, a psychiatrist, at the Provincial Hospital located in Campbellton stating at he was obliged to refer one of his priests to him so hopefully with the grace of god and his science the priest’s issue might be resolved There is no issue that the priest the Bishop was referring to was Father Noel.  The Bishop confided to Dr. Michel that the issue was not alcoholism but a vice that he considered extremely grave which was hopefully curable or at least controllable.

18 June 1961:  Father Noel’s first scheduled appointment with Dr. Michel.  There is no further info as to whether or not the appointment was kept or the outcome

(42) …The Bishop scheduled Father Noel’s visit for June 18, 1961. There is no record in the personnel file to indicate whether or not Father Noel kept the appointment or what occurred as a result of the Bishop’s referral to Dr. Michel.

14 February 1962- 21 June 1963:  Riviere-Portage.  Assisting at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Riviere-Portage

05 June 1962:  Bishop LeBlanc is advised by a priest that Father Noel’s conduct has not improved, and refers to inappropriate conduct with a youth.

(41)  …the Bishop was advised by a fellow priest that Father Noel’s conduct had not improved. He noted that Father Noel was sleeping in a family home, was up until 2:00 a.m. and it speaks of inappropriate conduct with youth which was affecting the youth’s conscience. It also notes “emotionally unbalanced and grave”.

13 June 1961:  Bishop sends a letter to Dr. Philippe Michel (a psychiatrist at the Campbellton Provincial Hospital) referring Father Levi Noel to him and hoping that the priest’s issues might be resolved.

(42) …the Bishop sent a letter to Dr.Philippe Michel, a psychiatrist, at the Provincial Hospital located in Campbellton stating at he was obliged to refer one of his priests to him so hopefully with the grace of god and his science the priest’s issue might be resolved There is no issue that the priest the Bishop was referring to was Father Noel.  The Bishop confided to Dr. Michel that the issue was not alcoholism but a vice that he considered extremely grave which was hopefully curable or at least controllable.

18 June 1961:  Father Noel’s first scheduled appointment with Dr. Michel.  There is no further info as to whether or not the appointment was kept or the outcome

(42) …The Bishop scheduled Father Noel’s visit for June 18, 1961. There is no record in the personnel file to indicate whether or not Father Noel kept the appointment or what occurred as a result of the Bishop’s referral to Dr. Michel.

21 June 1963 – July 1965:   Tracadie.  Assisting at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Tracadie, New Brunswick.

(43) It appears that despite the Bishop’s concerns, Father Noel remained at Riviere- Portage until June 21, 1963 when he was transferred to the Parish of Tracadie where he remained until July 8, 1965 …

(44) On July 7, 1965, the Bishop wrote to Father Noel once again, this time confirming that the next day be would be leaving Tracadie for the extreme north of the Diocese. The Bishop confirmed that Father Noel wanted the transfer and that the Bishop believed he would be more at ease there as nobody knew of his past and it would be easier for him to minister with greater efficiency. The Bishop also told him that in Tracadie it was felt he stayed up far too late and individuals had questions about him as a priest.

(45) The Bishop then confirmed that he made no inquiries or investigation, that he would not do so and that he simply wanted to advise and admonish him that he must absolutely conduct himself as an adult from now on, that he was getting older and it-was time that he behaved like a priest.  He also instructed Father Noel that he absolutely forbade him to spend any vacations in the company of youth or young boys of any age, that Father Noel “knows it” (presumably the issue he is alluding to relating to youth or young boys) and “exposes himself to it”.  Finally, the Bishop advised Father Noel that he did not say anything to Father Doucet so that Father Noel would be at ease. Presumably Father Doucet was the pastor at the northern parish of Campbellton.

1964:  Sexually abuses young Lowell

08 July 1965 – June/July 1966:  Campbellton.   Assisting at Notre-Dames-de-Neiges Roman Catholic Church in Campbellton, New Brunswick (Pastor, according to above Father Doucet?).

22 June 1966:  Bishop LeBlanc makes note of serious accusations against Father Noel regarding his conduct around young boys.  A young boy spoke to his mother and the parish is aware, also scouts were refusing to go camping because of his past conduct.

(46) …Bishop LeBlanc makes another note to Father Noel’s file recording serious accusations levelled against Father Noel with respect to his conduct with young boys. The note indicated that one boy spoke to his parents and that the parish was partially aware. It also noted that scouts were refusing to go camping because of his past conduct. The Bishop met with Father Noel the following day and also wrote to him saying that he was going to be transferred and that this had not been anticipated. The Bishop told him that he had to make a number of changes with his clerical appointments to make the transfer but that the burden of having to transfer other priests to accommodate him was nothing if it corrected what they discussed and that Father Noel knew of what he spoke, which it appears would have been the misconduct described in the note of June 22, 1966. The Bishop advised Father Noel that the transfer would be to Shippagan as of July 6, 1966 and implored him to follow the advice he gave him and that his future as a priest was at stake.

06  July 1966 –   24 May 1968:   Shippegan.  Assistant at St. Jerome Roman Catholic Church in Shippegan, New Brunswick

1968-69:  assistant, St. Jerome Roman Catholic Church,  Shippegan, N.B. (Pastor, Father Michele Mailiet) (CCCD)

June 1967:  Lameque.  Assisting, Notre-Dame-des-Flots, Lameque, New Brunswick

24 May 1968:  Inkerman.   Pastor,  St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, Inkerman, N.B.

(47) Father Noel was transferred from Shippagan to the parish of Lameque in June 1967, from there to Inkerman on May 24, 1968 and then to Notre Dame des Erables on August 15, 1969.    The  reasons  for  those  transfers  are not  apparent,  however,  his appointments to Inkerman and Notre Dame des Erables were for the first times to the positions of pastor, rather than as a vicar which were all his previous appointments.

January 1969:  Bishop Camille-Andre LE BLANC resigns

June 1969:  Edgar GODIN installed as Bishop of Bathurst

15 August 15 1969 – 03 July  1972:  Notre Dame des Érabes   Pastor, Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice Roman Catholic Church, Notre Dame des Érabes, New Brunswick.

According to an undated note, Father Noel calls Bishop Godin asking for a transfer.  It is learned that  Father Noel  admitted to  immoral conduct with a boy.    Bishop Godin note:    “can we in conscience continue to expose children to these scandals.”

(47)  …Unfortunately,  despite the appointments to the higher position of pastor, Father Noel’ s improper conduct in relation to young boys does not appear to have improved.

(48)   Father Noel’s personnel file contains an undated note that would have been prepared by Bishop Edgar Godin, the bishop of the day, sometime during Father Noel’s tenure at Notre Dame des Erables between August 15, 1969 and July 3, 1972.  Bishop Godin noted that he received a call from a teacher from the school who had written to him a week earlier and asked to meet with him. The Bishop then noted that he received a call from Father Noel fifteen minutes later asking for a transfer to another parish, that Noel’s tone of voice had some urgency and that he told the Bishop that psychologically he could no longer remain there and suggested several possibilities to the Bishop for transfer immediately.

(49) Bishop Godin then noted some difficulties he was having in arranging a transfer to another parish and that he met the teacher and her husband that afternoon who advised that a small boy who was serving mass stated in class that morning that he had been approached in an immoral fashion by the cure (pastor). The Bishop also met with the  principal of the school a bit later who had learned of the rumour spread in class regarding the pastor and the little boy. She had apparently called the pastor about it and  he admitted the conduct but gave no further comment.  She asked the teachers to be discreet but believed in conscience she had to come and speak.to the Bishop.  As already noted, Bishop Godin’s final note asks: “can we in conscience continue to expose children to these  scandals”.

(50) Apparently, Bishop Godin answered that moral question in the affirmative as Father Noel,  following a period of study leave in Paris as of August 14, 1971 returned to the Diocese to the position of vicar in the parish of Tracadie from July 3, 1972 to July 1, 1981, his longest period in a parish. No incidents of complaints of improper conduct are recorded in Father Noel’s file during that nine year period.

1970:  Inkerman.  According to victims he was in Inkerman  (P)  (is this date accurate? or is there a problem with the dates for Notre Dame des Erables? )

14 August 1971 – June or July 1972:  Paris.  “Study leave” in Paris (see above)

03 July 1972 – 01 July 1981: Tracadie.  Assisting at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Tracadie  New Brunswick.

Father Noel, following a period of study leave in Paris as of August 14, 1971 returned to the Diocese to the position of vicar in the parish of Tracadie from July 3, 1972 to July 1, 1981, his longest period in a parish. No incidents of complaints of improper conduct are recorded in Father Noel’s file during that nine year period.

1973-74, 1972-73:   address,  Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church, Tracadie (Pastor, Father Benoit Rioux)  (CCCD)

Late 1970s:  Denis Theriault tells  Father Benoit Rioux, Pastor at St. John the Baptist in Tracadie, about his sexual abuse at the hands of Father Levi. Rioux threatened to call police for making threats against Father Noel.  (Press Statement)

December 1981:  France.  In France.  Bishop Godin writes to a priest in France advising that Father Noel has always acted as an assistant priest, references  an issue with morality in 1971, and on essence gives Father Noel a recommendation.

(51)  In December 1981, Father Noel was apparently in France once again as Bishop Godin wrote to a priest in France and advised that since his ordination, Father Noel has always acted as an assistant priest (vicar) and that he had a good pastoral way of doing things.  He mentioned that there was an issue of morality in 1971 and Father Noel resigned as vicar of the parish. This was likely related to the incident in 1971 at Notre Dame-des-Erables.  No earlier incidents were mentioned in the letter.  Bishop Godin questioned whether the reasons for Father Noel wanting to leave was a personal reason as he was aware of one event which was known by all of his colleagues and was a cause for embarrassment.  No details of this event were divulged in the letter however.

(52)  Bishop Godin closed his 1etter to the priest in France by saying that in all conscience he believed that he was able to recommend Father Noel to the priest’s attention and that he could provide good services. This in relation to a priest who over the past twenty years was the subject of five reported incidents or complaints in relation to his immoral or inappropriate conduct with children which resulted in multiple transfers from parish to parish, periods of reflection and trips for pastoral leave to France and for whom Bishop Godin previously asked if in good conscience he could continue to expose children to these scandals.

01 February 1982 – 06 November 1982:  Sheila.  Assisting in Sheila, New Brunswick (Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette  Roman Catholic Church).  A letter from another priest in Sheila which seems to infer an incident regarding a young handicapped boy.  The priest reports that the incident was not Father Noel’s fault but rather that of the boy who was telling stories:

(53)  …Father Noel’s time in France in 1981 did not last long as he was back to the Diocese of Bathurst,  posted as a vicar in the parish of Sheila as.of February 1, 1982. The Diocese’s personnel file contains a letter from another priest in Sheila that appears to be in response to a letter from Bishop Godin.  The priest’ s letter advises Bishop Godin that everything was in order and that he regretted being absent when this event occurred. The event is not described in any detail, but the priest then writes about a young handicapped individual who holds himself out as a small saint but whose stories are lies, that everybody is against this child and the priest (presumably Father Noel) was set up. The letter appears to indicate that the incident was not the fault of Father Noel and it was all the fault of the handicapped child who was telling stories.

It seems that perhaps Father Noel was planning to head to France again, however while recommending Father Noel to the Bishop of Valence, Bishop Godin may have disclosed further details regarding ‘misconduct,’   and it seems that Father Noel remained in Sheila until he was transferred to Beaverbrook. [The Bishop of Valence from September 1978 to December 2011 was Didier-Léon Marchand )

(54)  Bishop Godin wrote to the Bishop of Valence, France on August 9, 1982 in response to a letter concerning Father Noel.  A portion of the letter from Bishop Godin appears to have been blocked out and immediately below the apparent blocked out portion, Bishop Godin states that he has no hesitation in recommending Father Noel but that he must, in conscience, make him (the Bishop at Valence) aware of those facts.  Again, the facts being referred to by Bishop Godin do not appear in the Diocese’s copy of the letter.

(55)  It does not appear that Father Noel went to France and he stayed in Sheila until he was transferred t0 the parish of Beaverbrook on November 6,’1982 as the pastor.

06 November 1982:  Beaverbrook.  Pastor,  Beaverbrook, New Brunswick (Ascension Roman Catholic Church, Beaverbrook, New Brunswick)

1983:  France.  In France (P)

1985- 1986:  Beaverbrook.  Pastor, Ascension Roman Catholic Church, Beaverbrook, N.B.(CCCD)

09 September 1985:  Father Levi Noel admitted to social workers that he had sexually assaulted an adolescent in Beaverbrook.  A police investigation was commenced but by then Father Noel had left for France.

(57) Bishop Andre Richard was notified by letter dated December 19, 1991 from the Department of Family and Social Services of a report it received near the end of 1985 alleging that Father Levi Noel indecently assaulted an adolescent in the region of Beaverbrook. The letter indicated that the social workers met with Father Noel on September 9, 1985  and he admitted the allegations. A police investigation was commenced but the social worker said that the investigator was unable to speak to Father Noel as he went to France…

According to Baspuit, Noel sexually abused two boys in Beaverbrook, one of the boys was in a wheelchair

1985- around 1991:  France

06 April 1985:  Bishop Edgar  GODIN dies, 16 long years after penning the words:  “Can we in conscience continue to expose children to these scandals”

November 1985:  Arsene RICHARD installed as Bishop of Bathurst

1988-1990:  France.  in France (P)

December 1989:  at a funeral in Tracadie (P)

January 1989:  Bishop Arsene RICHARD dies

May 1989:  Andre RICHARD installed as Bishop of Bathurst, New Brunswick

1991:  France.  directory shows him in France (CCCD)

29 July 1991:  France?   Letter from Bishop Andre Richard to Father Levi Noel regarding a man who said he was a victim of childhood sexual abuse  by Father Noel.  Father Noel himself paid the victim $5,000.  It seems that at this time Father Noel was suspended.

(56)  The next entry in the personnel file is a letter from Bishop Andre Richard addressed to Father Noel in Sheila on July 29, 1991. Bishop Richard advised him that he was contacted by a man who told him that he was a victim of sexual abuse as a child by Father Noel, that this person was trying to rebuild his life and asked the Bishop to make arrangements to meet with him and Father Noel face to face.  He also advised that the person wanted this to avoid going public and that he believed he would prefer to settle things other than in the public domain. Bishop Richard also expressed his increasing concern of increasing allegations against Father Noel with youth and men of all ages. Due to those allegations he said he must ask him to cease his ministry in the parishes and elsewhere and avoid all engagements already made. Father Noel agreed to meet with this gentleman and apparently the requested meeting took place where the man requested and Father Noel agreed to pay him $5,000.00 in two cheques of $2,500.00 each. The funds paid were Father Noel’ s funds and not those of the Diocese. No release was obtained.

1991:  Baspuit was told by Bishop Andre Richard that he, Baspuit, was the first to accuse Father Levi Noel.

19 December 1991:  Back in Canada   Department of Family and Social Services now know that Father Noel is back in Canada and contact Bishop Andre Richard referencing the Father Noel’s September 1985 admission to sex abuse:  they are looking for Noel’s address, plus wondering if Noel had received the treatment he which he at the time said he had requested:

(57)  Bishop Andre Richard was notified by letter dated December 19, 1991 from the Department of Family and Social Services of a report it received near the end of 1985 alleging that Father Levi Noel indecently assaulted an adolescent in the region of Beaverbrook. The letter indicated that the social workers met with Father Noel on September 9, 1985  and he admitted the allegations. A police investigation was commenced but the social worker said that the investigator was unable to speak to Father Noel as he went to France. They since learned that Father Noel had returned to the Diocese and was seeking his address as well as information on whether or not Father Noel had received treatment for his problem which he advised he had requested.

30 December 1991:  In Canada :  Bishop Andre Richard replies to Department of Family and Social Services letter.  The bishop advises that he was already aware of of the allegations regarding Father Noel:

(58)  Bishop Richard responded on December 30, 1991 advising that he had already been aware of the allegations concerning Father Noel.  He also advised that he understood that Father Noel did not have counselling for the problems that he recognized having but that he took the initiative to offer him this aid and is awaiting his response. He also provided the social worker with Father Noel’s address.

1992:  Sheila, N.B.  Address P.O. Box  459, Sheila, NB.  (CCCD)

1992-2007:  Ste. Foy, Quebec.  784 Poitou st., Apt5,  Ste. Foy Quebec   (part of the Archdiocese of Quebec.   –  Maurice Couture sv, Archbishop of Quebec)  (CCCD) (The Archbishops of  Quebec were Maurice Couture, R.S.V. (17 March 1990 – 15 November 2002 , Marc Ouellet, P.S.S. (15 November 2002  – 30 June 2010 )

26 January 1993:  Bishop Richard writes to Bishop Labrie [that would be Jean-Paul Labrie, the then Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Quebec, Quebec, Canada] advising that Noel is the subject of sex abuse allegations, the diocese had investigated, no charges were laid and Noel is not to be in ministry and is in Quebec without permission.  [Bishop Labrie resigned in 1995.]

(59)  On January 26, 1993 Bishop Richard wrote to Monsignor Labrie in Quebec to advise him that one of his priests, Levi Noel, was in the Quebec diocese, that he is the subject of allegations of sexual abuse on youths, that the Diocese had to investigate his case but no charges were laid, that he instructed him not to be in ministry and that he was in Quebec without his permission.

18 May 1999:  Bishop Richard writes t0 Father Noel in Quebec advising re Richard’s contact with authorities with the Archdiocese of Quebec:

(60)  Bishop Richard wrote to Father Noel May 18, 1999 advising that the ecclesiastical authorities of the Diocese of Quebec advised him that Father Noel was susceptible to being accused of a wrong of a sexual nature.  Bishop Richard wrote that he did not know how widespread the knowledge of this was and begged him to use the greatest caution and to conduct himself above reproach in solidarity with other priests.

March 2002:  Bishop Andre RICHARD leaving to become Archbishop of Moncton New Brunswick

July 2002:  Valerie VIENNEAU installed as Bishop of Bathurst Diocese

20 July 2006:  Bishop Valerie Vienneau contacts Father Noel in Quebec advising that there are allegations of sex abuse against him by a man alleging long-term abuse as a minor.    Among other things Vienneau advises that Noel is to cease ministry as a substitute priest:

(61)  Bishop Vienneau wrote to Father Noel on July 20, 2006 advising him that he was still incardinated to the Diocese of Bathurst and that a man came and reported to another priest of being a victim of sexual abuse of Father Noel when he was a minor over many years.  Monsignor Vienneau instructed Father Noel “to cease  his ministry as a substitute priest in any parish and to cancel any engagement he might have already accepted in any diocese in which he may be residing. He further advised that he had no right to exercise any ministry while he waited the outcome of allegations of sexual abuse against him and asked him to provide him with his phone number.  He also reminded him that he was in Quebec without permission of his prior Bishop, Andre Richard.

2008-2009:  Ste. Foy, Quebec.  794 Villieu St., Apt. 5. Ste. Foy, Quebec, QC  G1X 2Z9 (CCCD) (The Archbishop of  Quebec was Marc Ouellet, P.S.S. (15 November 2002  – 30 June 2010 )

May 2008:   RCMP commenced investigation after a victim came forward alleging he had been sexually abused as a boy by Noel (M)

2010:   Sallaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec. 1988,  boul Sainte Marie, app 1, Sallaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec J6T 3B4 .(CCCD) (in Diocese of Valleyfield, Quebec) (The Bishops of Valleyfield were Luc Cyr 10 May 2001  – 26 Jul 2011 and Noel Simard (30 December 2011 – )

January 2010:  GUILTY plea:- sentenced to 8 years in jail for convictions in 22 sex-related offences (M)

March 2010:  The Diocese retained the Honourable Michel Bastarache to set up a conciliation process

935) In March of 2010, the Diocese retained the services of he Honourable Michel Bastarache, retired justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, to act as an independent conciliator, to establish the parameters of the conciliation process and ultimately to recommend to the Bishop the nature and amount of compensation to be paid to the victims.

29 December 2010:  Bathurst Diocese is given permission by the courts to ‘raid’ (my word) the seminary fund to aid in compensating victims (Permission)

31 August 2011:  GUILTY plea:  sentenced to one year and six months to run concurrent to his other sentence (M)

June 2012:  Bishop Vienneau becomes Archbishop of Moncton, New Brunswick

Levi Noel DEFROCKED

January 2013:  Daniel JODOIN installed as Bishop of Bathurst Diocese, New Brunswick

13 May 2016:  Levi Noel DIES at Lakeshore Hospital in Pointe-Claire Quebec (M)