Settlement Ends Sex Abuse Suit Against Sault Diocese

October 17, 2008

By: Corina Milic, The Sault Star

Beckett Personal Injury Office's Scales of Justice's article image

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie knew Father Jean-Claude Etienne of Warren was abusing altar boys as far back as 1970, a lawyer for two sexual abuse victims said Thursday.

Robert Berube, 53, and a second man known as Claude, recently reached a settlement with the diocese for an undisclosed amount.

Berube launched a $3.1-million lawsuit three years ago, followed in 2007 by Claude, who sued for $4.5 million, based on alleged abuse they endured 30 years ago.

The "most dramatic of all the information" discovered was a letter from then-Bishop Alexander Carter warning Etienne to stay away from a number of boys at St. Thomas Apotre Parish, said lawyer Rob Talach at a press conference Thursday.

Talach, with Ledroit Beckett Litigation Lawyers, of London, said Carter sent the letter in July 1970, responding to complaints by parents and listing a number of local boys by name.

Berube told reporters Etienne abused him for three-and-a-half years, starting in 1969 when he was 13. His claim listed a dozen particulars of the alleged abuse, including fondling, oral sex, sodomy, striking, punching, throwing and assault. The claim alleged Etienne "engaged in a pattern of behaviour that was intended to make the plaintiff feel that his soul was in jeopardy."

Claude, who asked his last name not be published because he hasn't told some family members his story, said Etienne also abuse him for about three years, beginning when he was 10.

Talach expects more victims to come forward with the publicity of these two cases. He said the diocese should be held even more accountable for crimes committed after 1970, when it was clear leaders knew what was happening.

As Etienne's employer, Talach argues, the diocese was legally responsible for his actions.

Talach's law firm specializes in litigation concerning clergy sexual abuse and has been part of several high profile court cases in Cornwall and London.

He currently has six outstanding cases in this diocese, including a Sault Ste. Marie man who claims he was repeatedly assaulted by a city priest in 1965. Jim Lanigan alleges he was 15 when Rev. Roy McParland sexually abused him, including anal and oral sex.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

McParland, 77, is the only one still alive of four area priests Talach's clients are suing. McParland founded St. Gerard Majella Parish before moving on to Our Lady of Good Counsel, where he stayed for two decades until he retired in 2004.

Talach said he is trying to schedule an "examination for discovery," which involves question and answer sessions with all parties involved.

"There are wonderful, holy men who serve in the priesthood," said Talach. "There are also some monsters operating in the cloth."

He said the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie is beginning to deal with these allegations instead of sweeping incidents under the rug, but Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe still needs to be more proactive.

Some larger dioceses, like London, now automatically fund counselling for victims who come to them with credible claims of abuse.

Bishop Plouffe was not available for comment Thursday.

Talach said the Catholic Church has to start looking at clergy sexual abuse as a systemic problem instead of just "a number of rogue, bad priests."

"Why do so many of these characters end up in the priesthood and are allowed to do what they do for so long?"

-- with files from the Sudbury Star

Article ID# 1250906

Beckett Personal Injury Office In Downtown London

September 14, 2023

The Critical Importance of Contacting a Lawyer Immediately After an Accident or Injury

Accidents happen when we least expect them, leaving us stunned, injured, and bewildered about what steps to take next. Whether it's a car accident, a slip and fall, a dog bite, a workplace mishap, or any other type of accident, one thing remains constant: time is of the essence. In the aftermath of an accident, reaching out to a lawyer immediately might just be the most crucial decision you can make.

Read More
Beckett Personal Injury Office In Downtown London

August 30, 2023

Team Beckett and Canadian Blood Services: A Partnership for Life

We take for granted that blood will be there when we need it. But this summer, Canada’s blood inventory is extremely strained, with over 100,000 open appointments urgently requiring donors.

Read More
Beckett Personal Injury Office In Downtown London

August 23, 2023

I Was Injured In A Hit And Run. Am I Out Of Luck?

Being injured in a motor vehicle accident is a distressing event for anyone. It is only made more stressful when the at-fault driver leaves the scene before providing their insurance information. Many people believe that if they can’t identify the other driver, then there is nothing they can do. Fortunately, there are options for victims of hit and run accidents.

Read More