Diocese sued over alleged abuse by priest

A former altar boy at Immaculate Conception Parish Church in Truro is suing the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Halifax for alleged sexual abuse by a priest.

Court papers filed Wednesday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court allege the claimant was fondled by the priest when he was between the ages of 14 and 15, and that the archdiocese is vicariously liable for the priest’s actions.

The papers claim the assaults and resulting injuries were caused by “the negligence, infliction of mental distress, breach of trust, breach of non-delegable duty and breach of fiduciary duty of the archdiocese,” and of its employees.

The negligence, the court papers allege, includes the archdiocese’s failure to take steps to implement programs or procedures to supervise the priest, to take steps to counsel or prevent him from assaulting the claimant and to use reasonable care in the ordination, training, supervision and employment of the priest.

The former altar boy is claiming “serious, lasting and permanent injuries” including anxiety, nightmares, loss of self-esteem, lack of trust in others, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, impaired interpersonal relationships and alcohol abuse. No defence has been filed and the allegations have not been proven in court.