Woman claims sexual abuse by former parish priest
Cape Breton Post – February 3, 2024
A former parish priest, the Diocese (Catholic) of Antigonish and Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick are all named in a civil suit that alleges incidents of sexual assault and a failure to investigate. A Sydney woman claims that between Jan. 12-14, 2022, then Father Patrick J. O’neill sexually assaulted her on two occasions in his vehicle after enticing her with alcohol in exchange for sexual favours.
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.