Time for updates from the courts:
(1) Father Linus Bastien (Diocese of London, Ontario)
As feared, the “fitness” hearing for Father Linus Bastien scheduled to start yesterday has been postponed: Bastien was hospitalized.
24 May 2016: Hearing delayed on whether Bastien fit to stand trial
As it stands, the fitness hearing has now been rescheduled to run on days previously scheduled for the start of trial. Here it is:
24 -27 October 2016: 10 am, fitness hearing set for three days, Windsor Superior Court of Justice (245 Windsor Avenue);
This is a terrible blow to those complainants who have been waiting years on end – literally – to see justice done. The first charges were laid October 2011. Think about it. By the time this “fitness” hearing begins it will be five years since charges were first laid.
I also posted an article from early February regarding his attempts – unsuccessful – to get the charges thrown out.
04 February 2016: Lawyer argues elderly priest should not stand trial on sex abuse charges
And, yes, Father Bastien is 89 years-old. There are those who will claim that there is no point proceeding with charges, and that to do so would be cruel and inhumane. Actually, the truth of the matter is, that if indeed he is guilty, he has eluded justice, deceived the faithful and lived a lie for about 60 years. Why should any criminal be rewarded for his dishonesty? Is that justice? And, further to that, would we show the same charity to a serial killer who eluded justice for 40, 50 or 60 years?
Finally, a question, one which constantly niggles at my mind: why, if Father Bastien insists that he did not molest those boys, did he not fight tooth and nail to get the case to trial as quickly as possible to prove his innocence?
I don’t understand. Try as I might I just do not understand.
My heart goes out to the complainants and their families. Please keep them in your prayers.
(2) Father Stephen Amesse (Archdiocese of Ottawa, Ontario)
A trial date has been set for Father Stephen Amesse. The trial, scheduled to run for seven days next year, will commence Monday 06 March 2017
Prior to trial there is one day scheduled for a pre-trial motion:
19 January 2017: 10 am, pre-trial motion, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
Please keep the complainant in your prayers.
(3) Jessica Beraldin (Roman Catholic teacher, Mother Theresa High School, Barrhaven, Ontario – Barrhaven is a suburb within the city of Ottawa, Ontario)
06 June 2016: 08:30 am, “to be spoken to,” courtroom #5, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
(4) Brian Lucy ( former organist at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Gananoque, Ontario)
The next court date for previously convicted and currently incarcerated Brian Lucy is:
27 May 2016: 09:00 am, “to be spoken to,” Brockville Ontario courthouse (41 Court House Square)
Please keep the complainant in your prayers.
Enough for now,
Sylvi