CTV
06 October 2011
Victim Sebastien Richard (right), vice-president of the victims’ committee and Robert Cornellier, president, react to a settlement reached between a major Roman Catholic organization and sexual abuse victims Thursday, October 6, 2011 in Montreal. The Congregation of Holy Cross has committed to issuing an apology and to financial compensation of up to $18-million for sexual abuse committed at three different institutions, between 1950 and 2001. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson)
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Church assaults occurred between 1950 and 2001 at College Notre-Dame in Montreal. |
Updated: Thu Oct. 06 2011 11:51:32
CTV News.ca Staff
The Roman Catholic Congregation of the Holy Cross says it will pay as much as $18 million to a group of Quebec sexual abuse victims.
The abuses occurred at three Quebec schools. At College Notre-Dame, a private French high school in the city’s Cote-des-Neiges neighbourhood, students were abused over several decades between 1950 and 2001. Other victims attended College Saint-Cesaire between 1950 and 1991 and Ecole Notre-Dame in Pohenegamook between 1959 and 1964.
Thursday’s announcement followed a mediation between the congregation and representatives of the victims that began in December, launched to circumvent a class-action lawsuit threatened by the victims. The Holy Cross organization also agreed to issue a formal apology.
“I am truly pained by these transgressions and apologize, on behalf of the Congregation of Holy Cross, for all of the pain and suffering this abuse has inflicted on the victims,” said Jean-Pierre Aumont, the Canadian provincial superior of the congregation, on Thursday.
In a video posted online, Aumont stared directly into the camera and announced the Congregation of the Holy Cross would pay the entire settlement itself, and would not require the schools where the abuses took place to help shoulder the financial burden.
“Damage was done, and we have taken measures to repair them. We hope that the victims will finally be able to throw off the veil of silence, heal from their wounds as best as possible and fully embrace their future,” he said.
The deal allows for compensation for those abused by any employee of the congregation.
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Catholic order will pay Quebec abuse victims $18M
The Canadian Press
Posted: Oct 6, 2011 1:41 PM ET
Last Updated: Oct 6, 2011 1:32 PM ET
College Notre-Dame in Montreal is one of three Congregation of Holy Cross institutions where the assaults took place. (College Notre-Dame)A Roman Catholic organization has agreed to pay up $18 million in compensation for sexual abuse committed over several decades in Quebec.
The Congregation of Holy Cross committed Thursday to issuing an apology and providing financial compensation for abuses committed at three different institutions between 1950 and 2001.
The assaults occurred over that period at College Notre-Dame in Montreal, and over shorter periods at two other institutions.
The announcement comes after a mediation process launched last December by the congregation and by victims’ representatives, who had been preparing a class-action lawsuit.
Jean-Pierre Aumont, the provincial superior of the congregation, says he is “truly pained” by the crimes committed and the suffering they caused.
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Montreal Catholic congregation agrees to pay up to $18 million to sex abuse victims
Washington Post
By Associated Press, Updated: Thursday, October 6, 12:33 PM
The announcement comes after a mediation process launched last December by the congregation and by victims’ representatives, who had been preparing a class-action lawsuit.