The group IVAS wants the names of “bad” pedophile priests

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Édition Péninsule l’étoile

Posted at 6:00 am Thursday, December 9, 2010

[Sylvia’s NOTE:  This is the Google translation of the French article – scroll down for the article in French)

The law of numbers played more for victims of sexual assault from pedophile priests, believe firmly Conrad Brideau, Lowell Mallais and Donald Landry. Therefore these three founding members Innocent victims abused of sexually (IVAS) revive the Diocese of Bathurst and Bishop Valéry Vienneau. They want to be finally revealed the names and information about these “bad” priests, whether living or deceased. 

To give an example, the trio took initiative to add two other priests suspected to those already known Levi Noel and Charles Picot, convicted of such crimes in 2009 and 1993 respectively. According to them, and after testimony from their alleged victims, some now deceased priests have molested girls in the Bas-Caraquet and done something improper with young boys in several parishes in the region.

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Photo Réal Fradette, L’Étoile

Conrad Brideau, Lowell Mallais and Donald Landry, victims of sexual abuse by a pedophile priest, met the press Monday in Tracadie-Sheila.

  

When asked if they were not taking the risk of lawsuits from the families of these new disclosures, Conrad Brideau was adamant.

“We have testimonies of victims and we talked to our lawyers. We can do it. And since the diocese does not give the names, we must start somewhere, “he replied.

“Bishop Vienneau does not name them? We’ll name them. These are just two among many. They may be dead today, but their victims are still alive. You know, all the churches of the Acadian Peninsula have experienced, at one point, a pedophile priest, “supported Mallais Lowell, who believes that truth is well worth the risk.

12 CHRISTMAS WISHES

At the very beginning of the news conference Monday in Tracadie-Sheila, Conrad Brideau said that “we are stronger now than we’ve ever been.” The handful of victims from the beginning of this investigation a year ago, has grown at over 80 victims of Father Levi Noel and other pedophile priests, “he said. On Facebook, the IVAS group currently includes in excess of 235 victims and family members of victims, while the website (www.IVAS.ca) received over 8000 visitors, “he reported.

Lowell Mallais continued by proposing a list of 12 wishes for Christmas to Bishop Vienneau. The group will send a wish a day at the offices of the diocese in Bathurst starting next week.

These wishes are: 1) the names of other pedophile priests, 2) psychological support short and long term for the victims, 3) no children choir from the age of 18, 4) no child below 18 years in the confessional, 5) greater transparency of the clergy according to the protocol of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Canada, 6) dates and parishes where the priests have been practicing pedophiles, 7) the actual cost of this exercise, 8 ) of monuments in memory of the victims committed suicide / died, 9) include victims in a new protocol, 10) write over all the church doors “Here you can tell the truth!”, 11) a proclamation “zero tolerance” toward sexual assault and 12) more love of the bishop, because the truth out of love.

“Bishop Vienneau, when you make your apology to the victims, could you do it on national television, because we have the victims across Canada. The judge (Michel Bastarache, of the conciliation process) is not supposed to tell you, but we believe it must tell you, “continued Mr. Mallais, supported by his two friends.

According to the three men who were part of a group of 18 young people who have suffered abuse from the Father Levi  Noel between 1958 and 1980, the reconciliation process led by retired Justice Michel Bastarache offers no help long term and has a deadline for withdrawal. They add that all this serves only to sign checks to victims. That is why they chose to withdraw from the process and continue the fight through the courts.

“The financial compensation offered is really minimal compared to all the sequels that we had to endure. The system proposed by Mr. Bastarache is an exercise in despair for the victims, “believes Donald Landry.

“The victims are the only really know how far they have been isolated. Must be included in a new protocol of zero tolerance for that ever single child in the Acadian Peninsula is in danger, “Brideau says Conrad.

The Diocese of Bathurst has recently obtained permission from the court to fetch the money set aside in restitution to 35 victims in the trust fund.

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Le groupe Ivas veut les noms des «mauvais» prêtres pédophiles 

Édition Péninsule l’étoile

Publié à 6h00 le jeudi 9 décembre 2010 

 

La loi du nombre joue de plus en plus en faveur des victimes d’agressions sexuelles de la part de prêtres pédophiles, croient fermement Conrad Brideau, Lowell Mallais et Donald Landry. C’est pourquoi ces trois membres fondateurs du groupe Innocentes victimes d’abus sexuels (IVAS) relancent le diocèse de Bathurst et Monseigneur Valéry Vienneau. Ils veulent que soient enfin dévoilés les noms et des informations sur ces «mauvais» prêtres, qu’ils soient vivants ou décédés. 

Photo Réal Fradette, L’Étoile

Conrad Brideau, Lowell Mallais et Donald Landry, des victimes d’agressions sexuelles de la part d’un prêtre pédophile, ont rencontré la presse lundi à Tracadie-Sheila.

Questionné à savoir s’ils ne prenaient pas le risque de poursuite judiciaire de la part des familles de ces nouvelles dénonciations, Conrad Brideau a été catégorique.

«Nous avons des témoignages de leurs victimes et nous avons parlé à nos avocats. Nous pouvons le faire. Et comme le diocèse ne veut pas donner les noms, nous devons commencer quelque part», a-t-il répondu.

«Monseigneur Vienneau ne veut pas les nommer? Nous allons les nommer. Ce ne sont que deux parmi tant d’autres. Ils sont peut-être décédés aujourd’hui, mais leurs victimes sont toujours vivantes. Vous savez, toutes les églises de la Péninsule acadienne ont connu, à un moment donné, un prêtre pédophile», a appuyé Lowell Mallais, qui estime que la vérité vaut largement ce risque.

12 SOUHAITS DE NOËL

Au tout début de la conférence de presse convoquée lundi à Tracadie-Sheila, Conrad Brideau a indiqué que «nous sommes plus forts maintenant que nous ne l’avons jamais été». La petite poignée de victimes du début de cette enquête, il y a un an, a grandi à au-delà de 80 victimes du père Lévi Noël et autres prêtres pédophiles, a-t-il déclaré. Sur Facebook, le groupe IVAS comprend présentement au-delà de 235 victimes et membres de famille de ces victimes, alors que le site Internet (www.ivas.ca) a reçu plus de 8000 visiteurs, a-t-il signalé.

Lowell Mallais a continué en proposant une liste de 12 souhaits pour Noël à Monseigneur Vienneau. Le groupe va en envoyer un souhait par jour aux bureaux de l’évêché à Bathurst à compter de la semaine prochaine.

Ces souhaits sont : 1) les noms des autres prêtres pédophiles, 2) de l’aide psychologique à court et à long terme pour les victimes, 3) pas d’enfants de ch?ur de moins de 18 ans, 4) pas d’enfant en bas de 18 ans dans le confessionnal, 5) plus de transparence du clergé en respectant le protocole de la Conférence des évêques catholiques du Canada, 6) dates et paroisses où tous les prêtres pédophiles ont pratiqué, 7) le coût réel de cet exercice, 8) des monuments en mémoire des victimes suicidées/décédées, 9) inclure les victimes dans un nouveau protocole, 10) écrire au-dessus de toutes les portes des églises «Ici, on peut dire la vérité!», 11) une proclamation «tolérance zéro» envers les agressions sexuelles et 12) plus d’amour de l’évêque, car la vérité sort de l’amour.

«Mgr Vienneau, quand vous ferez vos excuses aux victimes, pourriez-vous le faire à la télévision nationale, car nous avons des victimes à travers le Canada. Le juge (Michel Bastarache, du processus de conciliation) n’est pas censé vous le dire, mais nous croyons qu’il faut vous le dire», a continué M. Mallais, appuyé de ses deux amis.

Selon les trois hommes qui faisaient partie d’un groupe de 18 jeunes qui ont subi des agressions de la part du père Lévi Noël entre 1958 et 1980, le processus de conciliation mené par le juge à la retraite Michel Bastarache n’offre aucune aide à long terme et a une date limite de dénonciation. Ils ajoutent que tout ça ne sert qu’à signer des chèques aux victimes. C’est pourquoi ils ont choisi de se retirer du processus et de continuer le combat par l’entremise des tribunaux.

«Les compensations financières offertes sont vraiment minimes comparativement à toutes les séquelles que nous avons dû subir. Le système proposé par M. Bastarache n’est qu’un exercice de découragement pour les victimes», est convaincu Donald Landry.

«Les victimes sont les seules à vraiment savoir jusqu’à quel point elles ont été isolées. Il faut les inclure dans un nouveau protocole de tolérance zéro pour que plus jamais un seul enfant de la Péninsule acadienne ne soit en danger», prétend Conrad Brideau.

Le diocèse de Bathurst a récemment obtenu la permission de la cour d’aller puiser l’argent prévu en dédommagements à 35 victimes dans des fonds en fiducie.

4 Responses to The group IVAS wants the names of “bad” pedophile priests

  1. Sylvia says:

    Way to go Conrad, Lowell and Donald. Way to go!! Keep the pressure on for diocesan transparency. Those names of clerical molesters should and must be released.

    80 victims! And 235 members on Facebook!!

    I will make one comment only. I personally think # 4 on the Christmas Wish List should be ALL confessions must be conducted in the old-fashioned confessionals – and NO confessions in little rooms, or classrooms, and NO face to face confessions with children under 18.

    As a Catholic I believe in the need for confession. I also believe it is impossible for a priest to molest anyone during confession in those old confessionals. Unfortunately in the heady days of Vatican II days many clergy decided to trash the traditional confessional with grill for – presumably – the comfort of face-face confesssions in a cosier environment. Perhaps on hindsight we can speculate on ulterior motives on the part of some clergy who were quick to invite children into a little room to confess their sins in comfort?

    As is so often the case, there was wisdom to the old – the children were safe! The priest in the tradtional confessional “box” can NOT lay a wayward hand on anyone. I say put back the old-fashioned confessionals in every church. If they’re already there and used as broom closets, clean them up and put them back in service!

  2. As a victim I believe the confession is a tool to dangerous for a pedophile hiding in a priest suit! Just yesterday 6 more victims have come foward, by different priest at different parishes: Bathurst East, Nigadoo, Beresford, Robertville and Petit Rochet. All were groomed in the confessional, before being abuse at location, other then the confessional box!!
    If we don’t learn from our mistake, we are doomed to repeat them!
    Still keep up the good work, Lowell

  3. Sylvia says:

    I understand what you’re saying Lowell. Yes, I suppose that a molester would stoop to those depths – if he can’t get his dirty hands on the child he will play with his mind.

    The damage these wolves in sheep’s clothing inflict is immeasurable. I believe that any priest who so abuses the Sacrament of Confession to groom and/or molest his victims should not only be laicized (defrocked) but excommunicated.

    Still, while I fully understand where you and other victims are coming from on this and and why, I can’t agree that advocating the abolition of the Sacrament of Confession is the answer. I believe the “mistake,” if we can call these decades of cover-up and tolerance that, has been the toleration and recycling of clerical molesters by Church officials, clergy, and even in some instances the laity.

    This is where it’s brought us. The souls of countless children have been raped, and the faith of those children in the Church, the priesthood and the Sacraments has been decimated.

    Are you tolerant bishops and clergy out there paying heed?

    Six more victims. All groomed in the confessional. God help us.

    Keep fighting Lowell. I disagree with the abolition of confession and had to say so, but that in no way negates my support for you and all the other victims. My prayers and I know those of countless others are with you all every painful step of the way.

  4. Baspuits says:

    Wrote this to both minister of justice
    Long story short form, I was abused in 1964 by a priest Levi Noel, who in 2010 got 8 years of prison by 18 victims. After abusing us he would send us to confession. This for 2 obvious reason, one make us feel guilty, second it’s shuts the mouth of the confesser, who usually is the head priest/abuser’s boss!

    The individual confession is back, some 4 years now……

    Today, Is it a crime for a priest not to call the authorities in hearing a child is being abused by his or her father, grandfather, uncle, or another priest?

    2019 – Nobody should be above the law, any religion too!!!

    Please help me, I’m having nightmares, are we still in 1964, where a child will not be heard, murmuring HELP, in a closet???

    Thank you in advance for your much needed answers

    Lowell Mallais & several other victims

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