Copy of ‘Silence protects systems’: Survivor of clergy sexual abuse says it’s incredibly daunting to take action against the Catholic Church
CKPG Today - March 12, 2026
Prince George, BC - When Leona Huggins was just twelve years, she was sexually abused by a priest. The priest who harmed her served a 10-month sentence and was later reassigned to ministry. Leona now supports survivors through her work at a Vancouver law firm and was the sole Canadian survivor invited to advise the planning committee for the late Pope Francis’ summit on the protection of minors in the Church. Huggins is still helping others who have been abused, founding a peer support group for clergy abuse survivors and continues to speak out to create an environment that will encourage not only those who have been harmed but also witnesses and whistleblowers to come forward.
Bishop Accountability - March 13, 2026 St. John's, NL - Lawyers representing Catholic Church abuse survivors in Newfoundland and Labrador say a new agreement with an unnamed third party is “substantial” and marks a significant step toward further compensation, though details will not be public until late April. St. John’s lawyer Bob Buckingham said money from the agreement could begin flowing by the end of the summer, calling it a positive development for survivors. Justice Minister Helen Conway Ottenheimer declined to comment when asked if the provincial government was involved, citing respect for judicial independence. The agreement arises from the ongoing insolvency proceedings of the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. John’s, which has been under creditor protection since 2021. More than 300 survivors are part of a court-approved $121 million settlement, with about $37 million paid so far through church asset sales and a previous government deal involving school properties. Lawyers say while the new agreement will not eliminate the remaining shortfall, negotiations with other third parties and insurers are continuing to maximize compensation for survivors.
Cape Breton Post - March 11, 2026 Halifax, NS - Timothy Clark, a survivor of clergy sexual abuse, says he feels stuck in limbo as he waits for the final payout from a class-action settlement against the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth. Although a $10 million settlement was reached in 2022 and his claim has been approved, Clark says delays and limited communication have prolonged his trauma and prevented closure after years of coming to terms with the abuse. Class counsel John McKiggan says the delays are due to factors beyond their control, including adjudicator changes, health and scheduling issues for some claimants, and the need to complete all contested claims before any funds can be distributed. Final hearings are now scheduled for the spring, which would allow the settlement to move toward completion.