"Get the piano off your back"

Bernadette Howell, Spiritual Health Practitioner - November 6, 2024


Breaking silence. Confronting clergy abuse. 


This blog post reflects on the impact of the documentary Prey, which tells the story of clergy sexual abuse survivor Rod MacLeod and his legal battle against the Basilian Fathers of Toronto. The author expresses gratitude for the readers of the blog and introduces the key story of Chris McLean, a survivor who, after watching Prey at the Windsor International Film Festival, decided to come forward and pursue justice for his own abuse. The documentary, first released in 2019, had a profound effect on McLean, inspiring him to take legal action.


The blog highlights the long and arduous process of seeking justice in cases of clergy abuse, emphasizing how victims often face years of legal battles, emotional strain, and invasive scrutiny, including psychological assessments. It also delves into the complexities of the legal system, particularly the differences between compensatory and punitive damages, and how the Catholic Church, despite acknowledging the abuse, typically disputes the financial consequences. The post critiques the Church's handling of abuse cases, including its tendency to offer inadequate settlements to survivors and appeal verdicts, which delays justice further.

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Archdiocese denies sex claims in latest historical lawsuit involving late priest

By Patricia Grell • September 25, 2025
Free Press - September 23, 2025 Somerset, MB - The Archdiocese of St. Boniface has denied a man’s claims he was sexually abused by one of its priests in rural Manitoba decades ago. The man, who’s in his late 60s, claimed in a lawsuit filed in the Court of King’s Bench earlier this year that he was sexually abused by now-deceased Catholic priest Rene Touchette in the village of Somerset, about 150 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg. In a statement of defence filed in late July, the archdiocese argued the lawsuit should be tossed out — and that the man has provided no proof of the alleged abuse.

Canadian court OKs priest's abuse suit against prominent priest, religious order

By Patricia Grell • August 15, 2025
National Catholic Reporter - August 13, 2025 London, ON - Ontario’s Superior Court has ruled that Fr. Michael Bechard, a diocesan priest from London, Ontario, can proceed with his civil lawsuit against Basilian Fr. Thomas Rosica and the Basilian Fathers of Toronto for alleged sexual abuse. The defendants had sought to have the matter handled exclusively in a Catholic canonical court, but Justice Evelyn ten Cate found that Canadian civil courts have jurisdiction and should hear the case. Bechard has also filed a separate complaint under Vos Estis Lux Mundi, Pope Francis’ 2019 rules for reporting abuse within the Church. The Diocese of London is not a party to the lawsuit and maintains its bishop acted appropriately when Bechard first reported the allegations in 2015. Justice ten Cate ruled that religious organizations are not exempt from Canadian law and rejected the argument that Bechard’s oath to canon law barred civil action. She emphasized that the Church’s canonical courts cannot award damages or impose vicarious liability, making civil proceedings necessary to ensure justice.
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