Vow to brother fulfilled - Abuse settlement

describes crimes

Vow to brother fulfilled - Abuse settlement completes a promise made after finding sibling's suicide note By Michael Tutton - the Canadian Press - Seven Years after his brother's suicide, Ronald Martin described a lawsuit that resulted in a $15-million settlement for victims of alleged abuse by Roman Catholic priests as "the fulfilment" of a promise he made to his sibling. Martin sat quietly Thursday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court as Justice David MacAdam heard lawyers explain why a settlement should be certified for the alleged decades-old abuse. The CBC reported late in the day that MacAdam approved a $15-million settlement that includes $12 million in damages, about $400,000 for counselling fees and the remainder for legal and administrative costs. Up to 70 people may receive a share of the money from the diocese of Antigonish for abuse that allegedly occurred since Jan. 1, 1950. Claimants would go before retired justice Walter Goodfellow for adjudication of their claims....The suicide note named Hugh Vincent MacDonald, a priest, as the abuser, a revelation that Ronald said "nearly destroyed" him as it brought painful memories flooding back. MacDonald was charged with multiple sex-related offences in 2003 but died a year later before the court process concluded....The class-action lawsuit also involves allegations of abuse by four other priests, three of whom have been convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault against children in the care of the diocese. Allegations made in the class action have not been proven in court. McKiggan said so far his firm has been retained by 39 claimants and has been contacted by about 50 other people looking for information about the lawsuit....Bishop Raymond Lahey of the Antigonish diocese told a news conference last month that the agreement is the first step in recognizing the alleged abuse of children. At the time, he apologized to "every victim and to their families for the sexual abuse that was inflicted upon those who were instead entitled to the trust and protection of priests." http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1141895.html