Bishop’s statement marks change in way church handles allegations: Prof

A press release sent out Monday by the archbishop announcing criminal sex charges against a priest might have set a precedent.

“It may not be the first time it’s happened, but if it isn’t, it hasn’t been happening for very long,” said Zeba Crook, an associate professor of religion at Carleton University. “This is a practice that’s a couple of months old at the most.”

The press release, authored by Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, not only named the priest but spoke of the need for justice to not only be done, but to be seen to be done.