After Lengthy Wait, Victims of Priest Abuse in N.S. To Finally Receive Payouts
Bishop Accountability + CBC News (Halifax) - August 27, 2026
Halifax, NS - Dozens of victims of historical sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Nova Scotia are expected to receive compensation in mid-September, nearly four years after a $10-million settlement was approved. More than 65 victims have been approved for payments ranging from about $21,800 to $303,000, but delays occurred because of the large number of claims and lengthy assessments. Some survivors criticized the process and lack of communication, while lawyers and the archdiocese say the settlement process was fair.
CBC News (Newfoundland) - August 28, 2026 Newfoundland and Labrador - Gemma Hickey, an abuse survivor and advocate, is calling for an independent investigation into the Catholic Church’s use of the Southdown Institute to treat priests accused of abuse. Hickey says church records should be made public to reveal what officials knew, how abusive priests were handled, and whether they were allowed to return to ministry.
CBC News (Newfoundland) - August 26, 2026 Newfoundland and Labrador - Newly uncovered letters suggest that in 1970, a Newfoundland bishop knew Father Leonard Joseph Kelly had sexually inappropriate relationships with boys but sent him for treatment instead of reporting him to authorities. Kelly later returned to ministry and was convicted of sexually assaulting two boys in the 1980s. His records from the Southdown Institute are now being sought by an insurance company to determine what the church knew about his behaviour and whether it should cover related abuse claims.