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.
Windsor Star - May 1, 2026 Windsor, ON - A woman from the Windsor area is suing the Roman Catholic Diocese of London, alleging a priest sexually abused her as a child in 1979–80, leading to lifelong emotional and psychological harm. The lawsuit adds to past abuse allegations against the diocese and underscores both the lasting impact of childhood abuse and the challenges survivors face in reporting it years later.
Bishop Accountability - April 25, 2026 St.John's, NF - The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will contribute $45.8 million toward a $121 million settlement for survivors abused at Catholic-run institutions, including Mount Cashel Orphanage. The payment helps cover compensation the bankrupt archdiocese cannot fully fund, following decades of legal battles and a 2021 Supreme Court ruling holding the Church liable, though a funding shortfall remains.