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.
Winnipeg Free Press - June 17, 2025 Winnipeg, MB - A Winnipeg man is suing the Catholic Archdiocese of Winnipeg, alleging he was repeatedly sexually abused by two priests from ages 5 to 13 in the 1960s and ’70s. The lawsuit claims over 100 assaults by Jesuit priests Harold J. Bedford and Robert L. MacDougall, both now deceased, and accuses the church of failing to protect him. He says he was silenced when he reported the abuse and witnessed other family members being assaulted. The Archdiocese has not yet responded, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
CTV News - June 16, 2025 Saskatoon, SK - A Saskatoon priest found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl will have to wait to know his fate after a judge reserved her sentencing decision for another date at Saskatoon Provincial Court Monday. The court heard sentencing arguments and victim impact statements after Ukrainian Catholic priest Janko Kolosnjaji was found guilty in February.