[This is a google translation of the French article. Scroll down for the article in its original French version]
Radio-Canada.ca
06 June 2012
The Archdiocese of Moncton, New Brunswick, to answer about a law firm that advises victims of sexual assault in Cap-Pele not to enter into an agreement with the religious authorities.
The Ontario firm Ledroit Beckett, accustomed to causes related to cases of pedophile priests, believes that victims would lose in the process of reconciliation initiated by the Archdiocese. According to lawyer Robert Talach, this proposal is a way to limit the damage and avoid a scandal.
Talach says that the Church is wrong and he qualifies monsters pedophile priests. It recommends that victims of the deceased father Camille Leger sue in civil court.
Donald Langis, diocesan coordinator of pastoral care to the Archdiocese of Moncton, judge that the law firm that is unfortunate and misleading. He stressed that the conciliation process is led by Michel Bastarache, former judge of the Supreme Court of Canada and human rights of francophones. Mr. Langis also asserts that counsel fees can reach up to 40% of the settlement.
“The process we propose is that we absorb all costs. So, the amount the victim receives, it will be the amount offered to them, whereas if these people go to court, the amount is sure attorneys’ fees must be paid and the costs of court. “- Donald Langis, diocesan coordinator of pastoral
Mr. Langis added that the approach of the Church is a private, based on compassion and understanding, the purpose of reconciliation. The archdiocese will also apologize to the victims.
The Archdiocese of Moncton will provide compensation to victims of sexual abuse by Father Camille Léger in the 1960s and 1970s. The history of these sexual assaults against young boys has come to light last winter.
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L’archidiocèse de Moncton défend son processus de conciliation
Radio-Canada.ca
06 Ju
La cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, à Moncton
L’archidiocèse de Moncton, au Nouveau-Brunswick, réplique aux propos d’un cabinet d’avocats qui recommande à des victimes d’agressions sexuelles à Cap-Pelé de ne pas conclure d’entente avec les autorités religieuses.
La firme ontarienne Ledroit Beckett, habituée aux causes liées à des cas de prêtres pédophiles, croit que les victimes seraient perdantes dans le processus de conciliation lancé par l’archidiocèse. Selon l’avocat Robert Talach, cette proposition est un moyen de limiter les dégâts et d’éviter un scandale.
Me Talach affirme que l’Église est fautive et il qualifie de monstres les prêtres pédophiles. Il recommande aux victimes du défunt père Camille Léger d’entamer des poursuites au civil.
Donald Langis, coordonnateur diocésain de la pastorale à l’archidiocèse de Moncton, juge que les propos de cette firme d’avocats sont malheureux et trompeurs. Il souligne que le processus de conciliation est mené par Michel Bastarache, ancien juge à la Cour suprême du Canada et défenseur des droits des francophones. M. Langis affirme aussi que les honoraires des avocats peuvent atteindre jusqu’à 40 % du règlement.
M. Langis ajoute que l’approche de l’Église est privée, basée sur la compassion et la compréhension, dans un but de réconciliation. L’archidiocèse présentera aussi des excuses aux victimes.
L’archidiocèse de Moncton offrira une indemnité aux victimes d’agressions sexuelles commises par le père Camille Léger dans les années 1960 et 1970. L’histoire de ces agressions sexuelles commises contre de jeunes garçons a éclaté au grand jour l’hiver dernier.
I agree with Rob Talach: the conciliation process is a means to limit the damage and avoid a scandal.
And look at this:
How much, I wonder, is it costing the archdiocese to have Mr. Bastarche, a former Supreme Court of Canada justice, belatedly do its dirty work? If Mr. Langis wants to talk fees, then please tell us what the archdiocese is paying Mr. Bastarche.
He (Langis) had the gull to say “I hope not many victims come foward for our coffers is to say nill”! The dip stick should of said ” I hope father Camille Leger didn’t abuse a lot of boys cause our coffers are empty! The victims our now responsible and the criminel’s are victims!
Basatrache also said a big lie on TV monday nigh: when he said his avenue is confidential and in a civil suit a victim has to come out and be named! Not if one was a minor during the abuse! Some one tell me he is not a Knights of Columbus, in good standings!
What will my or your grand kids say of all of this…………………….one day!
Rob Talach had more to say on this CBC news bit
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2012/06/06/nb-moncton-diocese-compensation-future-634.html
*Yes,please tell us what Mr Bastarache is making? About the 40% counsel fees…..not sure if that translation is correct. If it is, that is outrageous!
What a mess this Church is in. It’s possible the higher ups in the Church feared this day would come…and it has. I find it hard to believe Bishops and fellow priests in the area did not know of stories, rumours, facts etc about Camille Leger. Perhaps they swept it under the carpet. Perhaps they knew but didn’t act on it. Perhaps they suspected but did not dare to accuse. Perhaps they wanted to act, but left it to a higher Cardinal etc.
Perhaps……