The Superior Court of Quebec has only authorized the enforcement of class action against the diocese of Quebec for all sexual assaults allegedly committed by persons under its authority since 1940.
In a decision Thursday, Judge Bernard Godbout granted the application filed in August 2020 on behalf of two victims of clergy sexual abuse.
Gaétan Bégin and Pierre Bolduc claim they were sexually assaulted by priests of the diocese of Quebec when they were teenagers. The moves began in the 1950s and 1960s.
MM. Bégin and Bolduc were granted the status of representatives for the purpose of taking collective action on behalf of all victims. struck by a member of the diocesan clergy (bishop, priest, deacon) or by a religious, member of lay pastoral staff, employee, lay volunteer or religious under responsibility of the Diocese of Quebec.
Class action can also be taken on behalf of the heirs and beneficiaries of the victims. The period covered is between January 1, 1940 and the judgment to be issued.
A first
It has to do with activities that took place in the territory of the diocese of Quebec which, historically, covers most of the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches regions.
According to the firms Arsenault Dufresne Wee Avocats and Bellemare Avocats, which are working together in this case as legal counsel, this is the first class action authorized against a diocese that targets all sexual assaults committed by members. of the clergy.
Nearly 90 victims, male and female, would have contacted the representatives ’attorneys to register for class action.
Source: Radio-Canada
