N.L. judge rules that 59 abuse victims who had their claims rejected should be compensated
CBC News - December 21, 2024
Dozens of abuse victims across Canada, whose claims for compensation were previously rejected, have won a legal victory against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John's. In a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Justice Garrett A. Handrigan determined that 59 individuals who had their claims disallowed are entitled to compensation. These claims were part of a larger settlement process that had initially approved $105 million in compensation for 367 survivors, but some claims were rejected. The archdiocese has been selling properties to fund the compensation, raising around $44 million, and is in discussions with insurers and the provincial government for additional funds.
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.