Catholic parishes within the Diocese of Antigonish in Nova Scotia are being told to contribute to a multimillion-dollar settlement agreement for survivors of sexual abuse. As part of a series of meetings that were held in Sydney, Port Hawkesbury and Antigonish, parish council and parish finance committee members met to discuss how they will pay the settlement — despite already enduring hardships based on dwindling church attendance.
The diocese announced the $13-million settlement agreement last week for known and alleged victims of sexual abuse by its priests, including decades-old abuse claims.
The diocese had been named in a class-action lawsuit last year, along with the Roman Catholic Church, saying they kept the assaults secret and failed to warn or protect children.
According to the diocese, no churches are expected to close. However, it is unknown if other assets of a church, such as land or other properties, will be put up for sale.
Bill Jamael, president of St. Anthony Daniel parish council, now says parishes were told they must contribute to the settlement, but said contributions will be based on what a parish can afford.
"This will come from monies that the parish has in its own possession; from its own people, fundraising and whatnot," Jamael said.
"It’s going to be difficult for the different parishes to find the assets, but nevertheless the assets are there — it will be drawn from the different parishes as they’re able to pay."
If the terms and conditions of the proposed settlement announced last week are validated by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court during a hearing in Halifax on Sept. 10-11, anyone claiming to be a victim of a priest in the diocese from Jan. 1, 1950, to the present may be able to reach a confidential agreement with the diocese.
"Some people might be disheartened that it had to come to this," said Jamael. "The problem is (now) under our own bishop (Raymond Lahey) at this particular time in history, and he’s doing a great job as a shepherd to lead his flock . . . to look after the ills that have befallen a certain number of people; very unfortunate ills."
Jamael said there are a number of parishes already struggling financially as a result of outmigration and low attendance at regular church services, but said parish officials are in agreement with the settlement.
Lahey said the diocese is attempting to right those wrongs done to victims of sexual abuse at the hands of its priests.
The agreement will nearly bankrupt the diocese. As well, individual churches will have no choice but to endure "severe hardships," Lahey said last week.
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