Current events

«_Attention_:_important_messages_regarding sexual abuse»_

Memo_to_the_Faithful_of_the_Diocese_of_Bathurst

Diocese_of_Bathurst_2010 :_Pastoral _Appointments

BENOIT XVI : Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist : Read the Apostolic Exhortation on-line …

On_Your_Mark…_Get_Ready

Have_You_Heard_About_the_Synod_of_Bishops’_Meeting

Informations from the Diocese

Devoloment and Peace

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« Attention : important messages »

« The Diocese of Bathurst takes the initiative to compensate victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. For you information : consult the press releases.»

Diocese of Bathurst, NB

On April 17, 2010, the Bishop of Bathurst, Msgr. Valery Vienneau, has issued the following statement to the Roman Catholic population of his Diocese:

“To the People of the Diocese of Bathurst.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and in particular, the Victims of Sexual Abuse:

The sentencing of Levi Noel has closed one chapter on the terrible cycle of abuse perpetrated by him over the course of 25 years in our Diocese.

I fear that some of my deceased predecessors may not always have recognised or understood within him the harm he represented to the people of this Diocese and to the Diocese itself.

Many victims have rightly called for the Diocese to account and we will do so to the best of our abilities.

We have in mind to establish an independent alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process to be headed by the Honourable Michel Bastarache, a retired justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. As a native New Brunswicker, Acadian, former Dean of Law at the University of Moncton, former Justice of the New Brunswick Court of Appeal, and tireless advocate for the rights of minorities across Canada, Mr. Bastarache is well acquainted with our province, our region and our peoples.

We have asked Mr. Bastarache to design an ADR process that will be fair, quick and victim friendly. We have heard the allegations made against Levi Noel in court. We generally believe the accounts of the victims.

To this end, the issues we seek to resolve in this process will be to validate victims and recognise the harm done to them while offering to them fair compensation for the affront to their dignity as well as their suffering. We also seek to participate in the process thereby reflecting our determination to seek reconciliation from victims if they wish and to re-affirm our desire to see that such incidents do not re-occur in our Diocese. I believe this is a necessary step to effect a fair and just resolution to this terrible problem which was not the making of these victims.

We understand that Mr. Bastarache will be reaching out to victims, collecting their stories and relevant information to aid in the process.

I ask for the continued patience of victims to await the request from Mr. Bastarache and invite them to participate in what will hopefully be the best outcome for them in this unfortunate situation.

I also ask for the forgiveness of victims and their families. In particular, there is no excuse for the conduct of Levi Noel and no excuse why he was allowed to stay a priest in this Diocese for as long as he was. I have taken steps to begin the process of his laicisation as a clergyman.

I have only the solace to offer that systems we have put in place to detect and report abusive people, lay and clergy alike, coupled with the good faith of our parishioners will make the re-occurrence unlikely, though we shall nonetheless remain vigilant.

I ask for your prayers that all who were born into Christ in baptism will strengthen their connection with his Church, mindful of the frailties of those who preside over it on earth. I pray that we may all be reconciled together as followers of a faith that demands in equal part compassion, justice and forgiveness.”

As Vicar General for the Diocese and spokesman for Bishop Vienneau, I pledge the complete co-operation of the Diocese in the alternative dispute resolution process. I understand that Mr. Bastarache will be issuing his own statement and will be inviting victims to contact him. I ask all faithful to pray that this process will be successful for the victims and that they may attain peace.

Father Wesley Wade, v.g.

Diocese of Bathurst

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To the victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Bathurst

The Bishop of Bathurst, Msgr. Valéry Vienneau, has published an open letter to the members of the Church in his Diocese announcing that he had asked me to accept the role of independent conciliator in order to design and direct a process to identify victims of sexual abuse for which the Diocese has accepted responsibility, provide them an official apology, and offer them fair compensation for the affront to their dignity and their suffering. This process is meant to be non-confrontational, and as simple and expeditious as possible. It must be advantageous for victims seeking to make a claim. I have accepted to take on this role. I insist here on the fact that I will be acting independently; I am not the agent, lawyer or consultant of the Bishop, and this is what the Bishop wanted.

I must first obtain the names and addresses of all victims and contact them in order to explain the process that I intend to follow in order to arrive at a resolution of this unfortunate situation. I will submit to the Bishop and to the victims for comment and suggestions my proposed process, and finalize it. I will then ask the victims to participate in the process by filing a claim and accepting to make certain undertakings. The process is without prejudice, which means that the confidentiality of information and offers made during the process will be respected if a party abandons the process or both parties do not come to an agreement.

I want to make sure that all victims are well aware that participation is by invitation only and that they are totally free to abstain from participating in the conciliation process. I will therefore offer to pay for consultation with a lawyer of their choice on the issue of participation and will provide a list of lawyers that have accepted to give advice in this regard. A victim may choose a lawyer outside the list, which is only meant as an offer of assistance to victims.

Once the claim forms are filed, my role will be to validate the victims and obtain all relevant information to develop a compensation package appropriate to individual circumstances. My goal is to gather all basic information before the end of June and to complete the individual files during the summer so that individual meetings can be held in the early fall to make offers of settlement. My intention is to design a process that is as fast, simple and inexpensive as possible. The process is meant to maximize the funds that are directed to victims and achieve compensation this fall. The compensation will also be fair in that it will take into account judicial decisions in like situations in Canada and the particular situation of each victim. I will obtain professional assistance in evaluating medical and psychological conditions.

I understand that some victims may need assistance to complete an application and I will provide assistance as required for that purpose.

It is also important that I insist here on the fact that total discretion and anonymity will be respected as much as possible.

I hereby request that all persons who are victims of sexual abuse attributable to members of the clergy of the Diocese of Bathurst provide me with their name and address or other information permitting me to make contact with them rapidly. I would ask that information be provided to me before April 30, 2010.

I can be reached by telephone at 1-888-548-1080

or by fax at 1-888-548-1085

or by e-mail at michel.bastarache@nb.aibn.com

I have also retained an office in Bathurst where meetings and interviews can be held and where documents can be sent:

270 Douglas Ave, suite 101,

Bathurst, N.B.,

E2A 1M9

This message will also be published in the French language.

Victims are free to communicate with me orally or in writing in either French or English.

Michel Bastarache C.C.

Independent conciliator

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Diocese of Bathurst 2010 : Pastoral Appointments

For the priests, each year, the coming of summer is the time of nominations and changes to ensure the best service possible to all Christian communities. A good number of priests are given new mandates. Please find below the nominations promulgated by Most Reverend Valéry Vienneau, for the Diocese of Bathurst. Most of these nominations will be effective August 1, 2010.

Rev. Léo Lanteigne, pastor of Saint-Benoît Parish (Balmoral), is retiring after 54 years of priestly ministry in the Diocese of Bathurst.

Rev. Fortunat McGraw, pastor of Marie l’Immaculée Pastoral Unit including Saint-Augustin (Paquetville), Saint Simon and Saint Jude (Grande-Anse), Saint-Théophile (Maisonnette), Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys (Saint-Léolin), and Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice (Notre-Dame-des-Érables), is retiring after 47 years of priestly ministry in the Diocese of Bathurst.

Rev. Jean-Paul Chiasson, I.V. Dei, is retiring from full time ministry and will continue as an occasional substitute.

Rev. Émile Godin, pastor of Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Cœur Parish (Val d’Amours) and Notre-Dame-de-Fatima Parish (Saint-Arthur) is appointed associate priest in two pastoral units : Marie-de-l’Assomption and Saint Joseph in the Restigouche area.

Rev. Roméo Morrison, pastor of Marie-de-l’Assomption Pastoral Unit, is appointed pastor of Saint Joseph Pastoral Unit which includes the parishes of Martyre de Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Dalhousie), Saint-François-Xavier (Charlo), Saint-Jean-Marie-Vianney (Dundee), Sainte-Trinité (Eel River Crossing) and Saint-Benoît (Balmoral).

Rev. Claude Benoît, administrator of Sainte-Bernadette-Soubiroux (Saint-Sauveur) and Christ-Roi (Allardville), is appointed pastor of «Marie-de-l’Assomption» Pastoral Unit which includes the parishes of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes (Atholville), Notre-Dame des Neiges (Campbellton), Marie-Reine (Richardville), Notre-Dame-de-Fatima ( St-Arthur) and Notre-Dame-du Sacré-Cœur (Val d’Amour).

Rev. Régent Landy, chancelor, pastor of the « Saint Joseph » Pastoral Unit , is appointed pastor of « Marie l’Immaculée » Pastoral Unit which includes the parishes of Saint Simon and Saint Jude (Grande-Anse), Saint-Théophile (Maisonnette), Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys (Saint-Léolin), Saint-Augustin (Paquetville), and Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice (Notre-Dame-des-Érables).

Rev. Edmond Thériault, pastor of Saint-Isidore (Saint-Isidore), Saints Martyrs-Canadiens (Pont-Landry) et Saint-Rose-de-Lima (Saint-Rose), is also appointed pastor of the parish of Sainte-Bernadette-Soubirous (Saint-Sauveur).

Rev. Wesley Wade, vicaire général, pastor of the French Pastoral Unit of Bathurst (Sacré-Cœur and Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire), is also appointed pastor of the parish of Christ-Roi (Allardville).

Père Émard Duguay, c.j.m., administrator of the English Pastoral Unit of Bathurst, is appointed associate priest, beginning November 2010, in the Saint-Peter Pastoral Unit which includes the parishes of Saint Raphaël (Sainte-Marie-Saint Raphaël), Saint Pie X (Pigeon Hill), Notre-Dame-des-Flots (Lamèque), Saint-Antoine de Padoue (Miscou) and Sainte-Cécile (Petite-Rivière de l’Ile).

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On Your Mark… Get Ready……… Goooooooo!

The Church’s Liturgical Cycle, a year that recalls and reclaims our salvation, is a wonderful example of a new beginning. “I am with always until the end of time”. Our year begins by emptying ourselves and in love surrendering to the action of God in our lives. We begin by making a place for the Lord Jesus within ourselves and within the world and through our discipleship lifestyle radiating His love.

Beginnings are a pain and a plus. It is a pain because any real beginning means one has to look to see what was left behind in a person’s life – for the past is always in our faces. So if a new beginning is wanted sometimes we need to deal with the past. What and who have entered our life? What controls our life? What is it that makes us hurt?

Beginnings can also have a sense of adventure connected to them. Launching into a new time of life, entrance into new work or a new school, a new neighbourhood or even entering into a new relationship with someone new in your life or maybe someone who has been there a long time can be truly wonderful. Who in our life gives us life? Who is the friend, the encourager, the advocate in our life?

We embark on a New Year very soon and although the cliché of a New Year resolution made and broken in the same day is viewed with cynicism the new beginning of the year is an opportunity for everyone. It is a way of looking at the past that is in our face: healing where we need and giving life to ourselves and others where we are able.

In Baptism we are set apart and are consecrated to the Almighty God. Our Baptism constitutes a way of life and though each of us has wandered away from our original dignity, from time to time, the Lord continually invites us to an intimate and personal exchange of love. As we journey in this relationship we enter into the very life of the God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are sons and daughters of the Most High and by this Baptismal dignity enter into the life of the Living God. In Him we find our deepest identity, our real selves.

Although these words seem almost too good to be true in this crazy world of ours I can only repeat that the Lord continually INVITES. God invited a young Nazarene woman to an awesome and in some ways fearful relationship. Mary’s YES has changed the history of all humanity for all ages. I wonder what would happen if even one of us has the true courage to say YES to the Lord?

Beginnings are a pain and plus. Prayerfully, I wish each of you a Happy New Year, rich in hope and active in love as we daily listen to the invitation to a personal exchange of love with the Lord making each day a new beginning.

Sr. Patricia Melanson F.M.A.

Pastoral Coordinator

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The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, called bishops from the four corners of the world to gather in Rome for the 12^th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops this past October.

What is a synod one might ask? Literally speaking the word “synod”, derived from two Greek words syn meaning “together” and hodos meaning “road” or “way”, means a “coming together”.

A Synod can be defined as an assembly of bishops representing the Catholic episcopate, having the task of helping the Pope in the governing of the universal Church by rendering their counsel.

The Synodal Fathers gathered in Rome gave the following address at the end of the Assembly. Following is the outline of the soul and the substance of the document. It is the desire of our Catholic Church that we grow and deepen our knowledge and love for the Word of God. There are four cardinal points in the document. The complete document can be read on the Vatican website: www.vatican.va

First of all there is the divine Voice. It echoes in the beginnings of Creation, breaking the silence of nothingness and giving origin to the marvels of the universe. It is a Voice that penetrates in history, wounded by human sin and distressed by suffering and death. It also sees the Lord walking with humanity to offer His grace, His Covenant, His salvation. It is a Voice that enters into the pages of the Holy Scriptures, which we read today in the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, who was given as the light of truth to it and to its pastors.

Saint John wrote, “The Word became flesh” (1:14). Here then the Face appears. It is Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the eternal and infinite God, but also the mortal man, tied to an historical era, to a people and to a land. He lives the exhausting existence of humanity till His death, but rises glorious and lives forever. He makes our encounter with the Word of God perfect. He unveils to us “the full meaning” and unity of the Holy Scriptures, therefore Christianity is a religion that has a person at its center, Jesus Christ, the One who reveals the Father. He makes us understand that the Scriptures are “flesh”, that is to say human words to be understood and studied in their way of expressing, but that also preserve the light of divine truth within, which we can only live and contemplate with the Holy Spirit.

It is the same Spirit of God that leads us to the third cardinal point in our itinerary, the Home of the divine word, that is to say the Church, which, as Saint Luke suggested (Ac 2:42), is supported by four ideal columns. There is “teaching”, which is reading and understanding the Bible in the announcement made to all, in catechesis, in the homily, through a proclamation that involves mind and heart. Then there is “the breaking of the bread”, which is the Eucharist, the source and the summit of the life and the mission of the Church. Just as at Emmaus, the faithful are invited to nourish themselves in the liturgy of the table of the Word of God and Body of Christ. A third column is “prayer” with “psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God” (Col 3:16). It is the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church’s prayer destined to give rhythm to the days and times of the Christian year. There is also the Lectio divina, the prayerful reading of the Holy Scriptures able to lead, in meditation, in prayer, in contemplation, to the encounter with Christ, the living Word of God. And, finally, there is “brotherly communion” because to be true Christians it will not suffice being “those who hear the word of God” but also those who “put it into practice” (Lk 8:21) through love’s labours. In the home of the Word of God we also can meet the brothers and sisters from other Churches and Christian communities who, even in division, live a real unity, if not a full one, through the worship and love for the divine Word.

Thus we reach the last image of the spiritual map. It is the road the Word of God walks upon: Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations [...] and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you...what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops” (Mt 28:19-20; 10:27). The Word of God must run through the world’s streets which today are also those of computer, television and virtual communication. The Bible must enter into families so that parents and children read it, pray with it and that it may be their lamp for the steps on the way to existence (cf. Ps 119:105). The Holy Scriptures must also enter into the schools and in the cultural areas because for centuries they were the main reference for art, literature, music, thinking and the same common moral. Their symbolic, poetic and narrative richness makes them a banner of beauty for faith as well as for culture, in a world often scarred by ugliness and lowliness.

Dear brothers and sisters, guard the Bible in your houses, fully read, study and understand its pages, transform them into prayer and witness of life, listen to it with love and faith in the liturgy. Create the silence to effectively hear the Word of the Lord and hold a silence after the listening, because it will continue to dwell, live and speak to you. Make it resound at the beginning of your day so that God will have the first word and let it echo in you in the evenings so that the last word will be God’s.

Please note that this article is a compilation of articles found on Zenit network website.

This memo is a follow-up to my press release of October 28, 2009. In that release, I offered an apology to the victims of Father Lévi Noël and I would like to reiterate it to them: “We profoundly regret that Father Lévi Noël has abused the trust and innocence of young boys. On behalf of the Catholic Church of Bathurst, I want to extend to the victims our most sincere apologies”.

In that October press release, on the recommendation of the Diocesan Committee responsible for the prevention of sexual abuse, I indicated that we would be offering counselling services to the victims. Effectively, those services were organized. Some v ictims from the various regions: the Acadian Peninsula, Bathurst, Moncton and Montreal have contacted Father Jean-Claude Nadeau, Mr. André Morais or the Diocese. We have found resources in each of these regions and those victims are receiving counselling. This service is ongoing according to the requests and is offered to all victims who have been abused by a priest. This service is offered in strict confidentiality to protect the identity of the victims.

In a collective effort with other Dioceses, we are also establishing recruitment, screening policies and procedures to ensure the safety of all children, youth and vulnerable persons. These procedures will apply to members of the clergy, diocesan and parish employees, as well as, all volunteers in the parishes. This will require an explanation and training sessions, first with the priests and then with the various groups involved in pastoral activities according to their level of commitment. These policies and procedures will be made public by the end of April.

We continue to pray for all victims and their families. We want to do everything possible to further the protection of children, the young and those who are most vulnerable. We count on the collaboration and goodwill of all employees and volunteers with these more demanding procedures and different verifications that will be in effect in the very near future. It is important that you, as the faithful, are aware of what we are doing since this is a concern for the whole diocese.

We recognize that the road which leads beyond past hurt is long and strenuous. Now that legal procedures concerning Father Lévi Noël are over, we will be able to walk in a spirit of reconciliation and brotherhood with those victims who have expressed such a desire. May the Spirit of healing and truth be our guide. God’s blessings upon you.