Dear Cardinal-Elect, Frank Leo
Bernadette Howell, Spiritual Health Practitioner - October 15, 2024
Breaking silence. Confronting clergy abuse.
Open letter to newly appointed Canadian Cardinal Francis (Frank) Leo.
In your new role as cardinal, you will have far greater ability to address the horrors of clergy abuse and especially the lack of trust that continues to plague the health of this Church. This lack of trust is sadly born from the absence of accountability and transparency. With such proximity to senior leadership of the global Catholic Church as well as becoming an advisor to Pope Francis, you are now being placed in a political role where you can bring about real change should you wish to do so. And I have to believe that you do.
CTV News (Montreal) - September 13, 2026 Montreal, QC - Former Montreal priest Brian Boucher’s statutory release has been revoked following allegations he viewed child sexual abuse material on public transit. The Parole Board imposed stricter conditions for any future release. Boucher remains detained on new charges and is due back in court in November.
The Canadian Press - September 8, 2026 Montreal, QC - Former Montreal priest Brian Boucher, 64, will remain in custody until his next court appearance on Nov. 23, 2026, after waiving his right to a bail hearing on new charges involving child sexual abuse material. Boucher was previously sentenced to eight years in prison in 2019 for sexually assaulting two boys and was released into the community in 2024. He was stripped of his priesthood in 2020.