Diocèse Catholique
Catholic Diocese
Alexandria-Cornwall
Diocèse catholique d'Alexandria-Cornwall Catholic Diocese
220, ch. Montreal Rd, C.P./Box 1388, Cornwall ON K6H 5V4 * 613-933-1138
Sola Deo Gloria
Statement by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher
Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall
Good afternoon
I would like to begin by saying that I welcome the Report of the Cornwall Public Inquiry and the very hard work by the Commissioner and his staff. I want to particularly commend the dedication of Commissioner Normand Glaude and Commission counsel throughout this long process.
I would like to begin by saying that I welcome the Report of the Cornwall Public Inquiry and the very hard work by the Commissioner and his staff. I want to particularly commend the dedication of Commissioner Normand Glaude and Commission counsel throughout this long process.
The public sessions of the first phase of this enquiry were focused on the past, allowing us to better understand
what truly happened here in Cornwall. Commissioner Glaude gave himself to a huge piece of work in trying to distinguish between allegations
and fact, and the report we have today bears witness to the work of the commission.
Now that the Commissioner has issued his
conclusions and recommendations, they deserve a thorough reading and analysis in view to implementation and concrete action.
I
wish to pay special tribute to Colleen Parrish, who has played such a helpful role in leading the Phase 2 community renewal process.
Mrs Parrish coordinated direct support services for survivors and their families, which I am pleased to see Attorney General Chris
Bentley and the Ontario Government pledging to maintain now that the inquiry is over. Mrs. Parrish also coordinated a number of public
consultations on determining a way forward for our community, consultations in which I have had the honour of participating, allowing
me to witness first hand her determination in ensuring the public voice throughout this difficult but necessary process.
As a
community, we owe a debt of gratitude to both Commissioner Glaude and Mrs. Parrish for this important work which will allow us now
to move forward in healing our community.
When I moved to this area seven years ago as the new bishop for the diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall,
I quickly discovered that what would become the focus of this public inquiry had already consumed this community. I said then what
I repeat now: “The past cannot be changed, but we can learn from it”.
We know that there were some appalling occasions a few
decades ago when people in authority, including priests, sexually abused young people. I have had the occasion a number of times to
listen first hand to the painful stories of survivors of sexual abuse and have been shaken by their testimony. It has convinced me
that even one case of sexual abuse of a minor is one case too many. I repeat what I have said on previous occasions: I am truly and
deeply sorry for the pain that has been visited upon some of our young people and their families. On behalf of the Catholic diocese
that I lead, I want to apologize to you for the suffering and indignity caused by those in a position of trust and authority who have
robbed you of your innocence. That should never have happened. Period.
I want to assure you of my desire to help you overcome
this pain, in any way I can. I invite any survivor of clergy sexual abuse who would like to meet with me not to hesitate to do so.
I have already met with a few of you, and am more than open to offer counselling and support, and to engage in any steps that will
lead to healing and reconciliation.
One of the most important things we have learned is that the past response of organizations
and institutions to this most serious problem, including that of the Catholic Church, was flawed, inadequate and well beneath the
standards expected today. Protocols to handle allegations of sexual abuse were either non-existent or in early development; and where
they did exist, their implementation left much to be desired. In the past two decades, Catholic dioceses across Canada have been addressing
this problem, and a lot of progress has been made.
Since my arrival in the diocese, we have done much to develop the best policy
possible and to ensure its implementation. We engaged the public in developing new protocols and implemented an audited screening
policy in conformity with the Province of Ontario’s “screening initiative” in the early part of this decade. I am proud of the work
we have done in this regard, and commit myself to continuing in this direction. The Commissioner has made further recommendations
to this effect, most of which are already the practice of this diocese, the rest of which we will implement in the new year. I promise
to keep the public informed as the diocese engages in this process of implementation.
A few years go, I associated myself to
a group of concerned community leaders called Prév’Action to present a number of recommendations to the inquiry. I am glad to them
echoed in the Commissioner’’s ambitious and creative five-year plan for sustainable change in our community. I look forward to the
Province’s endorsement and support of this plan.
Hopefully, now with this Report, we can move forward – not forgetting the past,
but building on what we know and what we have learned. It is important to note the following: no allegation of sexual abuse of minors
involving clergy of this diocese claims any wrongdoing by a priest in the last twenty-five years. Keeping that in mind, I believe
that the time has come for our entire community to heal, rather than continue the anger and division that has so characterized this
ongoing story.
I there recommit our diocese to continue to develop safeguards against sexual abuse, as well as policies that
will ensure the best possible response to any allegation of such abuse.
Therefore, I recommit our diocese to work for reconciliation
with survivors of clergy sexual abuse and to partnering with other agencies, organizations and institutions in fostering such reconciliation.
I commit myself to ongoing work with community leaders to make Cornwall a beacon of education and prevention, of healing and of care
in this area. We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it and build a better future. Thank you.