The lawyers Brian Murphy, Michel Bastarache,Rob Talach and the RCMP must admit that it ain't over until the Fat Lady Sings
Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada<mcu@justice.gc.ca> | Thu, Feb 29, 2024 at 10:36 PM |
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https://davidraymondamos3. Thursday 29 February 2024 Dozens of victims get payments from church after sexual abuse by some N.B. priests | |
Dozens of victims get payments from church after sexual abuse by some N.B. priests
Archdiocese of Moncton says it has paid $5.4 million to victims
The Archdiocese of Moncton recently paid about $5.4 million to dozens of victims who sued the Catholic Church alleging sexual abuse by some priests.
The payments bring an end to dozens of lawsuits that have been filed over more than a decade involving multiple priests in southeast New Brunswick.
While some of the victims previously received partial payments after settling the cases, the church argued its finances — including a dispute with its insurer — meant it couldn't pay the full amount until recently.
Archbishop of Moncton Guy Desrochers announced the payments in a Jan. 30 letter to parishioners. He said in an interview this week that the payments complete the compensation to 78 victims.
Desrochers said the archdiocese has spent close to $24 million over the last 13 years.
The letter says Desrochers and his predecessor, Valéry Vienneau, began a fundraising push last year that led to "numerous" donations from people outside the diocese.
"Without hiding anything from these possible donors, I explained the dramatic financial situation that would lead us to contemplate insolvency," Desrochers said in the letter.
"Thanks to their contributions, we were able to meet our financial and legal requirements, with a payment deadline of December 29, 2023."
Desrochers told CBC News that donors were in Canada and the United States.
He said of the $5.4 million, $2.2 million was from the Archdiocese of Moncton Foundation.
Lawyer Brian Murphy says the payments offer some closure to victims he represented. (Shane Magee/CBC)
Three lawyers who represented victims confirmed to Radio-Canada and CBC that their clients have now been paid.
"There's some closure," lawyer Brian Murphy said in an interview.
"There's still disgust that it took so long to make it happen. And I think that that's a concern for all of the victims for sure. That's sort of an ongoing victimization, I guess, but it's over. I mean that this is the good news. The lawsuits are over."
The victims in the lawsuits didn't take part in an out-of-court conciliation process the archdiocese organized that was led by retired Supreme Court of Canada Justice Michel Bastarache. That process led to payments totalling $10.6 million to 109 victims, CBC previously reported.
The Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral on St. George Street in Moncton. (Pascal Raiche-Nogue/Radio-Canada)
Robert Talach, an Ontario-based lawyer representing 26 victims recently paid, said they can now use the funds to improve their lives.
But Talach said the wait for the settlement payments means its value has decreased as the cost of living has increased. Money that once could have bought a home, for instance, could no longer cover that cost, he said.
Talach said some victims agreed to settle for lesser amounts based on the expectation they'd quickly receive the funds.
"I think it's shameful, the fact that the local Catholic community raised millions and millions of dollars for an ugly old building in downtown Moncton," Talach said, referring to the Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral.
"At the same time, victims of sexual abuse by priests were scraping by, waiting for meager partial payments from the diocese to materialize."
Murphy was also critical of the archdiocese, which has sold properties and sued its insurer to get it to cover the cost of the settlements.
"These are all, you know, internal problems of the church, and I understand their point of view," Murphy said.
"However, I represent the victims who waited and waited and waited, making all of this much worse for them. And it's a really sad story, really, even though it is all over."
Desrochers defended his predecessor's actions to Radio-Canada, saying jobs were cut, properties sold and that parishes have made sacrifices.
Desrochers said the completion of the payments means the church can close a dark chapter.
"That said, this is not to say that victims no longer have a place," Desrochers said. "We continue to pray for them. We have compassion for all of this.
"But we are happy to be able to shift our focus from that. It's been 13 years. We must turn the page and now we are able to do it."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Pascal Raiche-Nogue
Moncton archdiocese, insurer reach settlement in lawsuit over sex abuse compensation
Funds will be used to pay claims for assaults by priests between 1955 and 1984, archbishop says
The Catholic Archdiocese of Moncton has reached a settlement in a multimillion dollar lawsuit against its insurance company regarding compensation paid to victims of sexual abuse by priests.
Although the details of the agreement with the Co-operators General Insurance Company are subject to a confidentiality clause, the resulting funds will be used to pay claims for sexual assaults that occurred in the archdiocese between 1955 and 1984, according to a statement issued by Archbishop Valéry Vienneau.
"The settlement made does involve some compromise, but it provides immediate certainty, particularly in light of advice that the pending court hearing would be put over for another year due to a shortage of judges," he said.
The case had been scheduled for trial in October.
The archdiocese confirmed it resolved a dispute with the Co-operators over the insurer's liability coverage of the archdiocese between 1977 and 1999, following two days of mediation in the Court of King's Bench.
"The certainty of resolution now will soon allow us to bring compensation and closure to victims and allow our archdiocese to again devote its full attention to service to our parishioners and those reliant upon archdiocesan services," Vienneau said.
"We regret all the injury caused to the victims and acknowledge their patience."
The Co-operators declined to comment.
Diocese argued policy covered 'bodily injury'
The archdiocese filed the lawsuit in 2013 to recoup $4.2 million it had paid out to victims of sexual abuse.
Court documents obtained by CBC News revealed the diocese had paid a total of $10.6 million to 109 victims through a confidential compensation process run by former Supreme Court justice Michel Bastarache. It's estimated victims were each awarded between $15,000 and $300,000, depending on the severity of the abuse, how old they were when it started, and how many years it lasted.
The diocese claimed $4.2 million of that fell within 1977 to 1999, when the church had an insurance policy with the Co-operators that included coverage for "bodily injury caused intentionally by … the archdiocese."
But the Co-operators argued the diocese committed an intentional act when it failed to supervise and discipline members of the clergy who committed the abuses, and that it failed in its obligation to tell the insurance company as soon as it became aware of the abuse.
The
Catholic Archdiocese of Moncton will undertake a final reckoning of
amounts due under the settlements and its available assets and move to
resolve compensation arrangements over the next several months, Vienneau
said. (Radio Canada)
The archdiocese has already funded settlements arising out of the Bastarache process, said Vienneau.
"Over the next several months," it will use the insurance funds coupled with available archdiocesan funds to pay remaining claims, "most of which had been settled subject to the outcome of the lawsuit against Co-Operators."
No other details will be released, he said.
There should not be a victim or survivor of clergy abuse in the archdiocese of Moncton that is not compensated by Christmas Day this year.
- Robert Talach, lawyer representing victims
Lawyer Robert Talach, who represents some of the victims, said it's "positive" an agreement has finally been reached after nearly a decade, but waiting another several months for compensation is "inadequate."
"It should be coming weeks," he said, noting some of the victims reached tentative settlements nearly eight years ago.
"There should not be a victim or survivor of clergy abuse in the archdiocese of Moncton that is not compensated by Christmas Day this year. So let's sharpen our pencils and let's get to work," said Talach, who leads the sexual abuse department for the London, Ont.-based Beckett Personal Injury Lawyers.
"They've got the funds now, apparently, so there should be no greater priority of this Christian institution than to get resolution, healing and compensation to these individuals — now."
Lawyer
Robert Talach said some of the victims had deals that the diocese pay,
'high or hell water, come early next year. So I mean the rubber was
hitting the road pretty soon.' (Beckett Personal Injury Lawyers)
Talach said the "vast majority" of the agreements were reached in 2015 "on the promise that they would be settled with their insurance company in the coming months."
"That's why this language of 'months' spooks me, because I've heard it before. I've heard 'months' and it turned into seven years and counting," he said.
He noted the value of those settlements has "dwindled" over the years with inflation. "And there's interest that will be inadequately compensated for."
In addition, "they took less money then because they thought they were going to get paid then," he said.
Talach also raised concerns about the confidential terms of the agreement.
"We're not going to know if the diocese in the end spends all that money they got, or what the real fiscal outcome of that settlement was."
In 2017, Vienneau told CBC News getting insurance to pay was the church's last hope, with virtually no money left in its coffers. Otherwise, the archdiocese might be forced to declare bankruptcy, he had said.
Provides closure, relief for victims
Moncton lawyer Brian Murphy said the settlement is "a relief" for the nine victims he represents, "all of whom have suffered physical and psychological damage.
"This is a little more than a payment of a contract debt. This is closure on something that's been deeply hurtful to them in terms of anxiety and depression and life-altering things for them," he said.
"The other thing that's important to recognize is that many of them have physical ailments that mandate that the church and the Co-operators insurance company move with some dispatch because some of my clients are not well.
"So we hope that, you know, before Christmas at least, in the spirit of that season, that the church would see to the payment of everybody's claims. I have no reason to think that wouldn't be possible."
The archdiocese asks "that God grant peace to every victim of abuse in the archdiocese, those who have resolved claims and those who have yet to do so," said Vienneau, and it asks for their "continued patience while [it takes] the necessary steps to resolve remaining claims and complete settlements."
"Our implementation of stringent guidelines and procedures for clergy and volunteers will hopefully prevent any repeat of such aggressions."
With files from Pascal Raiche-Nogue
Diocese of Moncton suing Co-Operators Insurance for $4.2M
The Diocese of Moncton wants Co-Operators General Insurance to pay $4.2 million for abuse claims
The Diocese of Moncton has filed a civil lawsuit against Co-Operators General Insurance to recoup $4.2 million dollars it paid out to victims of sexual abuse.
This case comes on the heels of another civil lawsuit in which the Diocese of Bathurst is seeking $3.3 million from Aviva Insurance.
Judge Stephen McNally is the presiding judge in both cases. The arguments in both cases are similar.
Both dioceses participated in a confidential compensation process run by Michel Bastarache. The former Supreme Court justice interviewed approximately two-hundred victims and awarded them compensation based on the age of the victim when assaulted, the severity of abuse and the frequency of abuse.
Former
Supreme Court Justice, Michel Bastarache was in charge of a
confidential compensation process for abuse victims in the Bathurst and
Moncton diocese. ((Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press))
Court documents obtained by CBC revealed that the Diocese of Moncton has paid a total of $10.6 million to victims of abuse through the Bastarache process.
The diocese claims that $4.2 million dollars of that total falls within the time period in which the church had an insurance policy with the Co-operators.
That policy dates from 1977 to 1999.
Bastarache awarded compensation to 109 people who were abused by priests in the Diocese of Moncton.
The victims named multiple priests as abusers including Father Camille Leger, Father Irois Despres and Father Yvon Arsenault. Arsenault now faces criminal charges in connection to alleged assaults.
Co-Operators Insurance states it has no obligation to help the Diocese of Moncton pay for the Bastarache process which it considers "voluntary".
In its statement of defence, Co-Operators claims the church is "excluded from coverage."
The diocese argument is based on the language of its insurance policy which it claims only had a significant change in 1996, when Co-Operators excluded sexual abuse from its coverage.
Father Yvon Arsenault faces allegations of sexual abuse dating back 40 years. (CBC) The church claims it did not intentionally cause bodily harm, rather it was the priests who were the abusers.
Co-Operators argues the diocese committed an intentional act when it failed to supervise and discipline members of the clergy who committed the abuses.
The insurance company also believes the church had an obligation to advise them as soon as they became aware of abuses.
The diocese argues that victims of sexual abuse did not come forward to claim damages until the 1990s and 2000s.
"There is no wording in the policy which called for the Archdiocese to inform the insurers of any potential claims of abuse."
Judge McNally will hear from the lawyers representing both sides at the Court of Queen's Bench in Moncton on Monday.
The Diocese of Moncton is requesting to skip a trial and have the judge make a ruling.
The lawyers Brian Murphy, Michel Bastarache,Rob Talach and the RCMP must admit that it ain't over until the Fat Lady Sings
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> |  Thu, Feb 29, 2024 at 10:29 PM | ||||||||||||||||||
| To: rtalach@beckettinjurylawyers.com, rmacleish@ghaelaw.com | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cc: mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, "Jason.Carrier" <Jason.Carrier@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Michael.Duheme" <Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, "wayne.eyre" <wayne.eyre@forces.gc.ca> | |||||||||||||||||||
https://beckettinjurylawyers. Robert is a senior partner at Beckett and leads the Sexual Abuse Department. Robert has served as a Canadian Forces Reservist since 1988 and deployed on the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Bosnia during the mid 1990’s. His military service has been recognized with induction into the Order of Military Merit. He has assisted those who can no longer serve due to injury through his pro bono work with the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association’s Trial Lawyers for Veteran’s Program. Robert applies his military discipline to his legal work, making him a formidable lawyer. When he is not working as a lawyer or serving as a soldier, Robert cherishes spending time with his family and also tries to stay physically fit in this busy world. rtalach@beckettinjurylawyers. 519-673-6244 Ext. 31 ---------- Original message ---------- From: "OfficeofthePremier, Office PREM:EX" <Premier@gov.bc.ca> Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2019 01:23:46 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: A little Deja Vu from the Maritimes for the lawyers Michel Bastarache and Rob Talach To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Hello, Thank you for taking the time to write. I appreciate hearing feedback and suggestions from the people of British Columbia as we work together to build a better BC. Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed at the earliest opportunity. In the event that your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for review and consideration. Again, thank you for writing. Sincerely, John Horgan Premier ---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2019 21:23:41 -0400 Subject: A little Deja Vu from the Maritimes for the lawyers Michel Bastarache and Rob Talach To: SWOntario@snapnetwork.org, jeboyle@rogers.com, marion.kelly12@hotmail.ca, SNAPVancouver@snapnetwork.org, laura.clementson@cbc.ca, Gillian.Findlay@cbc.ca Cc: motomaniac333@gmail.com, mbastarache@plaideurs.ca, rtalach@beckettinjurylawyers. sylvie.gadoury@radio-canada.ca barbara.massey@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, premier@ontario.ca, premier@gnb.ca, PREMIER@gov.ns.ca, premier@gov.ab.ca, scott.moe@gov.sk.ca, premier@gov.nt.ca, premier@gov.yk.ca, premier@gov.bc.ca, premier@leg.gov.mb.ca, premier@gov.nl.ca, premier@gov.pe.ca, press@larouchepac.com, Newsroom@globeandmail.com, steve.murphy@ctv.ca, oldmaison@yahoo.com https://www.cbc.ca/news/ 56 lawsuits against Catholic Church that allege sexual abuse are before N.B. courts Every month, new legal action is taken against the church in Moncton, Bathurst and Edmundston Gabrielle Fahmy · CBC News · Posted: Nov 15, 2017 6:00 AM AT Number shocks former judge The 56 new lawsuits were all filed after an extensive conciliation process. Between 2012 and 2014, retired judge Michel Bastarache, who was brought in by the church, spoke to hundreds of victims and worked out a compensation formula for the church to pay them all. In the end, the Archdiocese of Moncton had to come up with $10.6 million for victims, and the Diocese of Bathurst $5.5 million. Victims received between $15,000 and $300,000, depending on the severity of the abuse, how old they were when it started, and how many years it lasted. Bastarache said the conciliation process had to be delayed three times to accommodate new victims, which is why he's taken aback by so many lawsuits still before the courts. "I'm just surprised that the numbers are so high," he said. He also wonders why these alleged victims didn't take advantage of the process and are choosing to go to court instead. "I heard about a hundred victims in Bathurst, another hundred in Moncton, and those people — 90 per cent of them, wanted absolute confidentiality," said Bastarache. "A lot of them never told their story to anyone, not even in their family." https://www.cbc.ca/news/ Lawyer says sexual abuse victims still waiting for money from Catholic Church 'There's a lot of frustration, and a lot of anger, and definitely distress' Alex Cooke · CBC News · Posted: Sep 13, 2019 7:32 PM AT "There's a lot of frustration, and a lot of anger, and definitely distress," said Talach, who leads the sexual abuse department for the London, Ont.-based Beckett Personal Injury Lawyers. "There's distress by these victims who were victimized as children and continue to remain somewhat vulnerable." Talach said he and another lawyer are representing about 50 victims between the two of them. A dozen of Talach's clients have reached settlements with the archdiocese, said Talach. The other dozen still haven't reached an agreement with the church. But Talach said the battle isn't over even for those who have reached settlements. They still haven't received their money — and most of these settlements were agreed to more than three years ago. Talach said the money offered is, for the victims, "taking pennies on the dollar." https://www.cbc.ca/news/ Bathurst church gets cheque from insurers for sexual abuse victims Company, diocese involved in a drawn-out court battle over who should pay victims of Catholic priests CBC News · Posted: Dec 04, 2019 5:41 PM AT Need I say I got a quite a giggle out of watching my political enemies argue each other in the comment section today? https://www.cbc.ca/news/ Bathurst church gets cheque from insurers for sexual abuse victims Company, diocese involved in a drawn-out court battle over who should pay victims of Catholic priests CBC News · Posted: Dec 04, 2019 5:41 PM AT 47 Comments Marguerite Deschamps This CBC article says it best: https://www.cbc.ca/news/ I don't know it I could say it here. Drake Ramore The Diocese got away with one here. Failing to disclose that the Church has turned a blind idea to active known pedophiles in their ranks should have disentitled to them to coverage. Marguerite Deschamps Reply to @Drake Ramore: quite an entitled bunch! James Risdon Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Who? ---------- Original message ---------- From: Justice Minister <JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca> Date: Fri, 27 May 2022 21:32:19 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: :I called AGAIN today Correct??? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Thank you for your email to the Minister of Justice. Please be assured that it has been received by the Department. Your email will be reviewed and addressed accordingly. Thank you. ---------- Original message ---------- From: Premier <PREMIER@novascotia.ca> Date: Fri, 27 May 2022 21:31:47 +0000 Subject: Thank you for your email To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Thank you for your email to Premier Houston. This is an automatic confirmation your message has been received. As we are currently experiencing higher than normal volumes of correspondence, there may be delays in the response time for correspondence identified as requiring a response. If you are looking for the most up-to-date information from the Government of Nova Scotia please visit: http://novascotia.ca<https:// Thank you, Premier’s Correspondence Team ---------- Original message ---------- From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada <mcu@justice.gc.ca> Date: Fri, 27 May 2022 21:27:13 +0000 Subject: Automatic Reply To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Thank you for writing to the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed. We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language. ------------------- Merci d'avoir écrit à l'honorable David Lametti, ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada. En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu avec soin. Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant. ---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Date: Fri, 27 May 2022 18:23:52 -0300 Subject: :I called AGAIN today Correct??? To: dmacneil@truro.ca, dpike@amherst.ca, bourdap@halifax.ca, mayor@halifax.ca, mackins@halifax.ca Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca, mcu@justice.gc.ca https://davidraymondamos3. Friday, 27 May 2022 RCMP wanted 2011 tip about N.S. gunman to 'go away': Truro police chief https://www.cbc.ca/news/ RCMP wanted 2011 tip about N.S. gunman to 'go away': Truro police chief Chief Dave MacNeil talked to public inquiry about dealings with RCMP in wake of mass shooting ---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2022 13:38:43 -0300 Subject: I just called correct??? To: police@truro.ca, versailles@versaillescom.com, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Guy Versailles, 514 386 9774, versailles@versaillescom.com https://www.truro.ca/police- Chief of Police Truro Police Service 776 Prince Street Truro, Nova Scotia Canada B2N 1G9 Tel: 902-895-5351 (This contact number is staffed 24/7) Fax: 902-893-1629 Email: police@truro.ca https://davidraymondamos3. Friday, 1 April 2022 N.S. man stood guard with a shotgun after the mass shooter rang his doorbell https://www.cbc.ca/news/ Commission examining N.S. mass killing announces inquiry participants Participants include families, advocacy groups, police organizations Frances Willick · CBC News · Posted: May 13, 2021 11:48 AM AT https://davidraymondamos3. Tuesday, 20 November 2018 I read the news today about the RCMP lawsuits and just shook my head at the malicious nonsense but when Guy Versailles laughed at me I got truly pissed off >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com >> Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 01:20:20 -0300 >> Subject: Yo Fred Wyshak and Brian Kelly your buddy Whitey's trial is >> finally underway now correct? What the hell do I do with the wiretap >> tapes Sell them on Ebay? >> To: Brian.Kelly@usdoj.gov, us.marshals@usdoj.gov, >> Fred.Wyshak@usdoj.gov, jcarney@carneybassil.com, >> bbachrach@bachrachlaw.net, wolfheartlodge@live.com, shmurphy@globe.com, >> jonathan.albano@bingham.com, mvalencia@globe.com >> Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, oldmaison@yahoo.com, >> PATRICK.MURPHY@dhs.gov, rounappletree@aol.com >> >> http://www.bostonglobe.com/ >> >> http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ >> >> As the CBC etc yap about Yankee wiretaps and whistleblowers I must ask >> them the obvious question AIN'T THEY FORGETTING SOMETHING???? >> >> http://www.youtube.com/watch? >> >> What the hell does the media think my Yankee lawyer served upon the >> USDOJ right after I ran for and seat in the 39th Parliament baseball >> cards? >> >> http://www.archive.org/ >> >> http://archive.org/details/ >> >> http://davidamos.blogspot.ca/ >> >> http://www.archive.org/ >> >> http://archive.org/details/ >> >> FEDERAL EXPRES February 7, 2006 >> Senator Arlen Specter >> United States Senate >> Committee on the Judiciary >> 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building >> Washington, DC 20510 >> >> Dear Mr. Specter: >> >> I have been asked to forward the enclosed tapes to you from a man >> named, David Amos, a Canadian citizen, in connection with the matters >> raised in the attached letter. >> >> Mr. Amos has represented to me that these are illegal FBI wire tap tapes. >> >> I believe Mr. Amos has been in contact with you about this previously. >> >> Very truly yours, >> Barry A. Bachrach >> Direct telephone: (508) 926-3403 >> Direct facsimile: (508) 929-3003 >> Email: bbachrach@bowditch.com >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "David Amos" david.raymond.amos@gmail.com >> To: "Rob Talach" rtalach@ledroitbeckett.com >> Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 10:59 PM >> Subject: Re: Attn Robert Talach and I should talk ASAP about my suing >> the Catholic Church Trust that Bastarache knows why >> >> The date stamp on about page 134 of this old file of mine should mean >> a lot to you >> >> http://www.checktheevidence. >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com >> Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:37:08 -0400 >> Subject: To Hell with the KILLER COP Gilles Moreau Wh>> maritme_malaise@yahoo.ca, Jennifer.Nixon@ps-sp.gc.ca, >> bartman.heidi@psic-ispc.gc.ca, Yves.J.Marineau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca >> david.paradiso@erc-cee.gc.ca, desaulniea@smtp.gc.ca, >> denise.brennan@tbs-sct.gc.ca, anne.murtha@vac-acc.gc.ca, >> webo@xplornet.com, julie.dickson@osfi-bsif.gc.ca, >> rod.giles@osfi-bsif.gc.ca, flaherty.j@parl.gc.ca, toewsv1@parl.gc.ca, >> Nycole.Turmel@parl.gc.ca,Cleme maritime_malaise@yahoo.ca, >> oig@sec.gov, whistleblower@finra.org, whistle@fsa.gov.uk, >> david@fairwhistleblower.ca >> Cc: j.kroes@interpol.int, david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, >> bernadine.chapman@rcmp-grc.gc. >> Juanita.Peddle@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, oldmaison@yahoo.com, >> Wayne.Lang@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Robert.Trevors@gnb.ca, >> ian.fahie@rcmp-grc.gc.ca> >> >> http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/nb/ >> >> http://nb.rcmpvet.ca/ >> >> From: Gilles Moreau Gilles.Moreau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca >> Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2012 08:03:22 -0500 >> Subject: Re: Lets ee if the really nasty Newfy Lawyer Danny Boy >> Millions will explain this email to you or your boss Vic Toews EH >> Constable Peddle??? >> To: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com >> >> Please cease and desist from using my name in your emails. >> >> Gilles Moreau, Chief Superintendent, CHRP and ACC >> Director General >> HR Transformation >> 73 Leikin Drive, M5-2-502 >> Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R2 >> >> Tel 613-843-6039 >> Cel 613-818-6947 >> >> Gilles Moreau, surintendant principal, CRHA et ACC >> Directeur général de la Transformation des ressources humaines >> 73 Leikin, pièce M5-2-502 >> Ottawa, ON K1A 0R2 >> >> tél 613-843-6039 >> cel 613-818-6947 >> gilles.moreau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca >> > > First things first have a Look at the 3 documents hereto attached (Not > a big read) > > Listen to these old voicemails from interesting FEDS at about the > same point in time (Won't take long) > > http://www.archive.org/ > > then ask youselves or the lawyers Senator Shelby or Spizter or Cutler > or Bernie madoff's old buddy Robert Glauber where the webcast and > transcript went for a very important hearing held in late 2003 by the > United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. > > http://www.banking.senate.gov/ > > Review of Current Investigations and Regulatory Actions Regarding the > Mutual Fund Industry > > November 20, 2003 02:00 PM > The Committee will meet in OPEN SESSION to conduct the second in a > series of hearings on the “Review of Current Investigations and > Regulatory Actions Regarding the Mutual Fund Industry.” > > Archived Webcast > > Witness Panel 1 > > Mr. Stephen M. Cutler > Director - Division of Enforcement > Securities and Exchange Commission > cutler.pdf (175.5 KBs) > > Mr. Robert Glauber > Chairman and CEO > National Association of Securities Dealers > glauber.pdf (171.1 KBs) > > Eliot Spitzer > Attorney General > State of New York > spitzer.pdf (68.2 KBs) > > Permalink: > http://www.banking.senate.gov/ > > > Trust that the evil women and men that PM Trudeau "The Younger" > appointed to to his cabinet will continue to play dumb because of > their oath to The Privy Council. However it does not follow that > everybody who works for them are dumb and they have no such oath to > uphold N'esy Pas?. > > Veritas Vincit > David Raymond Amos > 902 800 0369 > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Lisa Porteous <lporteous@kleinlyons.com> > Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 14:46:22 +0000 > Subject: RCMP > To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> > > David, > > Thank you for your email inquiring about our class action against the > RCMP. As you may know, the Notice of Claim was filed in the Brit> brought by former RCMP constable Janet Merlo on behalf of female RCMP > members. Unfortunately, we cannot assist you with your claim. > > We recommend that you contact Mr. Barry Carter of Mair Jensen Blair > LLP to discuss any claim you may have against the RCMP for harassment. > His contact information is as follows: > > Mr. Barry Carter > Mair Jensen Blair LLP > 1380-885 W. Georgia Street > Vancouver, BC V6C 3E8 > Phone: 604-682-6299 > Fax 1-604-374-6992 > > This is not intended to be an opinion concerning the merits of your > case. In declining to represent you, we are not expressing an opinion > as to whether you should take further action in this matter. > > You should be aware that there may be strict time limitations within > which you must act in order to protect your rights. Failure to begin > your lawsuit by filing an action within the required time may mean > that you could be barred forever from pursuing a claim. Therefore, you > should immediately contact another lawyer ( as indicated above) to > obtain legal advice/representation. > > Thank you again for considering our firm. > > Yours truly, > > Lisa Porteous > Case Manager/Paralegal > > lporteous@kleinlyons.com > www.kleinlyons.com > > KLEIN ∙ LYONS > Suite 400-1385 West 8th Avenue > Vancouver BC V6H 3V9 Canada > Office 604.874.7171 > Fax 604.874.7180 > Direct 604.714.6533 > > This email is confidential and may be protected by solicitor-client > privilege. It is intended only for the use of the person to whom it is > addressed. Any distribution, copying or other use by anyone else is > strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please > telephone us immediately and destroy this e-mail. > > Please consider the environment before printing this email. > ---------- Original message ---------- From: Jody.Wilson-Raybould@parl.gc. Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2018 17:03:10 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: I read the news today about the RCMP lawsuits and just shook my head at the malicious nonsense but when Guy Versailles laughed at me I got truly pissed off To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Thank you for writing to the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville. This message is to acknowledge that we are in receipt of your email. Due to the significant increase in the volume of correspondence, there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed. To help us address your concerns more quickly, please include within the body of your email your full name, address, and postal code. Please note that your message will be forwarded to the Department of Justice if it concerns topics pertaining to the member's role as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. For all future correspondence addressed to the Minister of Justice, please write directly to the Department of Justice at mcu@justice.gc.camcu@justice. > or call 613-957-4222. Thank you ------------------- Merci d'?crire ? l'honorable Jody Wilson-Raybould, d?put?e de Vancouver Granville. Le pr?sent message vise ? vous informer que nous avons re?u votre courriel. En raison d'une augmentation importante du volume de correspondance, il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de votre courriel. Sachez que votre message sera examin? attentivement. Pour nous aider ? r?pondre ? vos pr?occupations plus rapidement, veuillez inclure dans le corps de votre courriel votre nom complet, votre adresse et votre code postal. Veuillez prendre note que votre message sera transmis au minist?re de la Justice s'il porte sur des sujets qui rel?vent du r?le de la d?put?e en tant que ministre de la Justice et procureure g?n?rale du Canada. Pour toute correspondance future adress?e ? la ministre de la Justice, veuillez ?crire directement au minist?re de la Justice ? mcu@justice.gc.ca ou appelez au 613-957-4222. Merci ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Date: Mon, 8 May 2023 11:22:01 -0300 Subject: Fwd: Mitchell Garabedian, William H Gordon, Eric MacLeish and Wilson Rogers should remember me now To: Anna.Kuchment@globe.com, greg.huang@globe.com, mark.pothier@globe.com Cc: mgarabedian@garabedianlaw.com, rtalach@beckettinjurylawyers. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Saltzman, Jonathan" <jonathan.saltzman@globe.com> Date: Mon, 8 May 2023 07:14:27 -0700 Subject: Out of town Re: Mitchell Garabedian, William H Gordon, Eric MacLeish and Wilson Rogers should remember me now To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail. I will be out of the office on May 6 through May 14 and have only limited access to email. If you have news to report, please email editors Anna Kuchment at Anna.Kuchment@globe.com, Greg Huang at greg.huang@globe.com or Mark Pothier at mark.pothier@globe.com. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Date: Mon, 8 May 2023 11:14:20 -0300 Subject: Mitchell Garabedian, William H Gordon, Eric MacLeish and Wilson Rogers should remember me now To: rmacleish@ghaelaw.com, mgarabedianlaw@garabedianlaw. wgordon@garabedianlaw.com, wrogersiii@therogerslawfirm. archbishop@archtoronto.org, walter.robinson@globe.com, "dan.ciraco" <dan.ciraco@cbc.ca>, jsaltzman@globe.com, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, wrogersjr@therogerslawfirm.com andrewjdouglas <andrewjdouglas@gmail.com>, pfeiffer@globe.com, rezendes@globe.com, ArchbishopSean@rcab.org, Robert_Kickham@rcab.org, "Michael.Duheme" <Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca <paulpalango@protonmail.com> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, sdougherty@snapnetwork.org, SNAPvirginia@cox.net, zhiner@snapnetwork.org, mmcdonnell@snapnetwork.org, "rob.moore" <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)" <megan.mitton@gnb.ca> https://davidraymondamos3. Sunday, 7 May 2023 I watched the Academy Award-winning film Spotlight for the first time tonight and wondered who to contact first Wilson D. Rogers, III 89 Essex Heights Drive Weymouth, MA 02188 (781) 794-1600 wrogersiii@therogerslawfirm. ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Amos" To: "Rob Talach" Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 10:59 PM Subject: Re: Attn Robert Talach and I should talk ASAP about my suing the Catholic Church Trust that Bastarache knows why The date stamp on about page 134 of this old file of mine should mean a lot to you http://www.checktheevidence. Just Dave By Location Visit Detail Visit 23,667 Domain Name (Unknown) IP Address 212.77.30.# (Holy See - Vatican City State) ISP Holy See - Vatican City State Location Continent : Europe Country : Holy See (Vatican City State) (Facts) Lat/Long : 41.9, 12.45 (Map) Language Italian it Operating System Macintosh WinNT Browser Safari 1.3 Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/49.0.2623.112 Safari/537.36 Javascript version 1.5 Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 768 Color Depth : 24 bits Time of Visit May 3 2016 11:26:43 am Last Page View May 3 2016 11:26:43 am Visit Length 0 seconds Page Views 1 Referring URL https://www.google.it/ Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blo...3/ides- Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blo...3/ides- Out Click Time Zone UTC+1:00 Visitor's Time May 3 2016 4:26:43 pm Visit Number 23,667 https://www.archtoronto.org/ ---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 May 2016 16:16:21 -0400 Subject: Attn Cardinal Thomas Collins I am on the phone to you again To: archbishop@archtoronto.org Cc: David Amos LAW OFFICES OF MITCHELL GARABEDIAN 100 State Street, 6th Floor Boston, MA 02109 Phone: (617) 523-6250 mgarabedian@garabedianlaw.com wgordon@garabedianlaw.com September 28, 2003 William H Gordon C/O Law Offices Of Mitchell Garabedian 100 State Street, 6th Floor Boston MA 02109 Telephone: 617-523-6250 Re: David R. Amos et al v. William J. Kickham et al Norfolk Superior Court C.A. NO2002-01070 Mr. Gordon, I have been very curious for the past year as to why you have not contacted me, particularly in light of the fact that we have a common foe that was being incompetently defended against me by the very same law firms that you met on May 8th, 2002. A big clue for you should have been that I quoted Cardinal Law’s answer to your question as to his residence. I have no doubt my name is cursed a lot behind many closed doors of private organizations of lawyers. The fact that I used the Cardinal’s answer must have caused someone to remark of it to you. However I know that I can not prove it. I can prove that I called you a while back but I cannot prove the reason why no one at your law firm would speak to me. What I can prove is that this letter has been sent and received and that I expect a response from you. Please find enclosed a copy of a letter sent to all US Attorneys. Please notice I sent you this letter before the Circus in Norfolk Superior Court. The outcome has no relevance to my next complaints in Federal Courts. Be careful what you do with the wiretap tape. It has been served upon you in confidence as an Officer of the Court in order that it be properly investigated. For a little while I will not reveal to others that I have sent you this letter. May I suggest that you check my work, then give me a call. I have a little private proposition you may be interested in. Whereas neither of us trust each other perhaps we should agree to sup with long spoons. David R. Amos 153 Alvin Ave. Milton, MA. 02186 617 240-6698 June 4, 2004 Mitchell Garabedian Gary R. Greenberg 100 State St., 6th Floor One International Place Boston MA 02109 Boston, MA 02110 Laurence E. Hardoon Daniel J. Foley, Jr., Brody, Hardoon, Perkins and Kesten, LLP MAIA One Exeter Plaza 137 Pennsylvania Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 Framingham, MA 01701 RE: Me versus you dudes in court very soon Sirs, Please find enclosed exactly the same materials served upon Susan A. Jackson, a lawyer who opted to ignore me and not return my phone call, just like Mr. Garabedian. The copy of wiretap tape numbered 139 is served upon you in confidence as officers of the court. I have already made certain that the man named “Al” will receive the original tape at a time of my choosing unless some law enforcement officer decides to act within the scope of his employment first. As I told Mr. Garcia, Utica’s lawyer in New York yesterday, you fellas are already way past too late to uphold the law. You can play dumb and pretend that you don’t know nothing about any of this but you can’t fool me because I am too stupid. I know it is not necessary to serve any of you one more slip of paper because of your associations and prior contact but I was so pissed off I had to do something to calm me down before I go home to the Maritimes for awhile. I need time to mend. As the song goes, I would not trade one town uphome from ten Beantowns. Quite frankly the stupidity and the double talk I heard from the ones amongst you that I did manage to talk to amazed me. You know who you are. Rest assured that I look forward to arguing you in court. I have no doubt whatsoever that you could not pull the wool over the eyes and ears of a jury of my peers as I speak of simple truths in any court. I have already tested the water in that regard. I watched the ordinary folks in court giggle at all the lawyers squirming on September 29th of last year as I argued Judge Borenstein. Assistant Attorney General Robby Quinan and their many cohorts. Hell, one lawyer that I did not know who had witnessed the circus found me in the parking lot afterwards and congratulated me. He clearly stated in front of witnesses that it was high time the bastards got what they deserved. In return for his compliment I gave him many documents that I had in my hand and did not ask for his name. Maybe someday he step up to the plate, show some sand and testify to what he knows to be true in his own name but I ain’t betting on it. I stand alone anyway and do not associate with anyone that I do not know to be a true friend that I could trust with my children’s life. The fact that it took a monumental battle to receive even an edited transcript of that hearing on further served to prove my point. One true statement I heard in the past week came out of the mouth of Mr. Foley. (I wonder if he is related to Colonel Foley if not he should call John Collins) He said I had the right to sue anyone. I think that I have already proven that fact. However finding enough ethical conduct within a corrupt justice system in order to prosecute a Prima Facia complaint is another kettle of rotten fish. Perhaps Mr. Foley should talk to a Director of his Association, Mr. Marchionne and his lawyer, Mr. Garcia about their client, Mr. Whiting before I make matters worse. The fact that Foley received my emails is not negated by the fact that he deleted them. Now he will have to deal with the materials I just served in hand to his office or call me a liar later. The same holds true for the rest of you. Mr. Hardoon should seek the counsel of his associate Cheryl A. Jacques. She received in hand to her office in the State House the same stuff Tom Finneran did on the same days. (I recall her office quite well by the decorations outside the door.) Mr. Greenberg should have long talks with his buddies Mr. MacLeish and Mr. Marcelino about Cardinal Law, the SEC and me. Mr. Garabedian needs to stress test his own ethics and those of his buddy, Mr. Gordon. Then check the work of Owen Todd and Wilson Rogers to see how easily I kicked them in the nuts with just one affidavit. There was and is no need for me to depose Cardinal Law, the evidence of his crimes and his lawyers’ misconduct still remain in the public record. It was too funny to me when Todd chastised Michael Fredrickson for his own lack of ethics after Judge Borenstein had shown me his ass and ignored all of their wrongs. It became even more hilarious that the Ethics Commission’s lawyers had no idea what to say to me about Owen Todd’s conduct after Judge Borenstein sent me his malicious ruling. If you really want to get to the heart of things, give Alberto Gonzales and Clark Kent Ervin a call and ask them of their pursuit of Truth, Justice and the American Way. I quit trying to explain this shit to you, Soon I will sue. I speak plain. What say you? Cya’ll in Court:) David R. Amos 153 Alvin Ave. Milton MA. 02186 Certificate of Service I, David R. Amos of Milton MA on June 4, 2004 served in hand the enclosed materials to the offices of Mitchell Garabedian at 100 State St., 6th Floor Boston MA 02109, Gary R. Greenberg at One International Place Boston, MA 02110, Laurence E. Hardoon One Exeter Plaza Boston, Massachusetts 02116 Daniel J. Foley, Jr., 137 Pennsylvania Ave, Framingham, MA 01701 David R. Amos 153 Alvin Ave. Milton MA. 02186 https://www.ghaelaw.com/eric- Eric MacLeish Of Counsel rmacleish@ghaelaw.com Phone: (617) 494-1920 Fax: (617) 494-1921 One Cranberry Hill #304 Lexington, Massachusetts 02421 Roderick MacLeish Jr. and October 31, 2003 Jeffrey A Newman Greenberg Traurig, LLP One International Place 3rd Floor Boston MA 02110 Phone 617-310-6014 Sirs, I read the words of Mr. MacLeish within the article published two days before arguing your recent legal opponents in the matter you were referring to. I was amazed that neither of you nor Mr. Gordon had contacted me, particularly in light of the fact that I had quoted some words from Cardinal’s deposition in my own complaint. I wondered why you were backing up the New Cardinal whom I had made well aware of the failings of the Todd and Rogers law firms. I understood the game when you addressed Mr. Rogers as Wil in a correspondence dated the same day. You guys put on a good show as you spit and chew at each other but it is just a lucrative legal carnival paid for by the litigants. No matter who wins or loses you still bill for your time then gone on to the next show with the many of the same lawyers acting as friend or foe. Prior to appearing in court on September 29th 2003, I opted to stress test Mr. Gordon with my theory. It seemed that lawyers talk the talk but do not walk the walk. Now over one month later, it certainly appears to me that my thinking was correct. After the hearing on the 29th, I have commenced sending my third and last wave of letters out to prove my allegations against so many members of the bar. Three of whom are you two and the priest/lawyer Robert Kennedy. I have no doubt he was involved in sending Rogers to court to defend the church against you and Cardinal Law against our action. Todd stepped up to the plate to defend Abigail Shaine against us. He must have choked when I employed the first Amendment well enough in my Oppositions to his Motions to Dismiss his law firm denied their existence and created new motions. To assist him in his perjury, every clerk in every court I filed the oppositions in made them to evaporate. If you had been paying any attention to my litigation, I believe your clients could have made a better settlement in the form of relief. I do not think it was a coincidence that Cardinal Law stepped down from his post and left the State exactly one day after I filed my Affidavits in federal court. All lawyers attempting to litigate against me had been made well aware that the U.S. Attorney, Michael J. Sullivan, had fraudulently removed Cardinal Law’s name from the complaint at the time of the removal. Norfolk Superior Court destroyed all trace of prior filings in the matter. All of my oppositions had been properly served upon each of them and each of the other litigants who had standing in a timely fashion yet all failed to acknowledge their existence on the 29th. The fact that all lawyers neglected to obey such an elementary local rule in U.S. District Court and file a Notice of Appearance is simply to funny for words. All lawyers and the U.S. District Court itself supported the irrefutable violation of our civil rights and deliberated assisted in the criminal acts. The court even withheld the dockets from view until such time that the matter could not be appealed. This is simply an unbelievably true story and I have only grazed the surface in this letter. Now I prove what I have just stated to you and demand that you act as an ethical officer of the court. This is your chance to get back at the other fellas for complaining of your own professional conduct. Rest assured that I will be judging your actions or inaction. Good luck wrestling with your own conscience. As for me, when I have time to sleep I do so like a baby and dream of going to the circus of my own creation. Please find enclosed an exact copy of a letter sent to every U.S. Attorney in the USA just prior to the minor side show held before Judge Borenstein in Norfolk Superior Court on September 29th. I suspect the recent developments about the SEC and the FBI in Beantown have caused him to delay his judgments of long delayed Motions to Dismiss. He should not need advisement as to whether or not to dismiss a Prima Facia complaint. The irrefutable evidence supporting the allegations was filed with the complaint and served upon all defendants. He knew the scoop the instant he read the complaint. I have no idea how he is going to convince me not to sue him. Whatever his judgment is, it is of no matter to my next filing in federal court. I do not expect a response from you but from this point onwards you can never claim that you did not know the truth. Your concern should be what I will do with the proof of your newfound knowledge. The copy of the tape numbered 139 is served upon you in confidence as officers of the court in order that it maybe properly investigated. Be careful that you do not violate the rights of the people recorded upon it. They have every right to complain of the government after I have made every effort to protect their rights within the government. I was surprised when lawyer that have represented mobsters and other lawyers that have represented their victims did not want to discuss the tapes or even listen to them. It must be that they hold the brotherhood of the bar higher than the interests of their clients or justice. That explains to me why they often refer to each other as my brother when they stand before the court. Do you guys have secret hand shakes as well just like the masons? I stand alone I need no one to back me up at least I know I am what I am. I am a simple, sincere and serious man. Are lawyers certain that they are what they claim to be? Please surprise me and stand with me in my allegations or sue me. Do something because you now cannot claim to be ignorant of the simple facts of the matter. One way or another, I will Cya’ll in Court David R. Amos 153 Alvin Ave. Milton, MA. 02186 O'Malley helps church walk the walk By Roderick MacLeish Jr., 9/27/2003 THE RECENTLY announced "settlement" between the Archdiocese of Boston and victims of clergy abuse (240 of whom I represent) will bring no closure or peace for those who lost their innocence at the hands of child molesters masquerading as clerics. There is nothing that could properly compensate most of the victims and countless others who will never come forward. It really is not a settlement at all. Fundamentally, it simply provides victims of abuse with the option of "opting out" of the court system and having their cases decided within certain parameters by an arbitrator. There are those who will not accept its restrictions and some may take their cases to trial. So what does this agreement mean and why should Catholics and non-Catholics alike support the archbishop who made it possible? Over the past 20 months, a group of attorneys and their clients have spent an enormous amount of time uncovering horrific stories of atrocities committed upon children for decades. Equally appalling was the coverup by high church officials and their incomprehensible decision to put these monsters back into settings where they could commit the same crimes again. At our law office, we have more than 400 square feet of space dedicated to more than 50,000 pages of records and deposition transcripts that document these assaults; records of 143 priests, most of them still alive and all but three or four immune from prosecution because of inadequate laws on child protection. For those of us involved in these cases, there is a feeling of numbness. There is very little that could shock us now. Out of this numbness, we have lost perspective. Boston has been the epicenter of this scandal, and what we do here and how we do it is being watched around the world. It is being watched in other Catholic dioceses, and it is being watched by schools, day care centers, hospitals, and youth organizations, which have harbored, sometimes unwittingly and sometimes not, sexual predators. We can safely say that what we have accomplished in Boston has made the world a great deal safer for children. While child molesters will never disappear, their sanctuaries are drying up. If the secret archives of the Catholic Church can be penetrated, there is little chance for any other organization to evade its responsibilities to children. Moreover, after years of collective insomnia, legislatures around the country are finally starting to wake up to the inadequacy of our child protection laws. And now we have a new archbishop. I first met Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley 11 years ago when he was the bishop of Fall River, one of the poorest dioceses in the country. I represented 101 victims of now convicted rapist Fr. James Porter. While Cardinal Law was loudly denouncing everything about the case -- including this newspaper's coverage -- on the grounds that the names of good priests were being besmirched, he was harboring priests suspected of abuse, almost 100 of them, according to the nun who worked in his delegate's office. It was a very different time. Most of us wanted to believe that Fr. Porter was unique. The case could have dragged on for years, particularly since O'Malley had an array of technical legal defenses that well could have prevailed. But that did not appear to be the bishop's concern. He recognized that it was not enough to announce future reform while the victims of failed past policies still lay wounded on the battlefield. So the case was resolved -- not just with money, but with a fair degree of compassion and understanding and with a state of the art policy on child protection that has served the parishioners of Fall River well. Bishop Sean, as he likes to be called, was way ahead of the rest of the church. So Cardinal Law is now in retreat at a convent in Maryland and Bishop Sean is in Boston. In his short time here, he has met with a great number of victims and their families. He has made important reforms in how the archdiocese treats victims, and he has done his best to provide a mechanism of relief for victims whose lives have been in crisis for almost two years. The agreement announced on Sept. 10 also contains critical nonfinancial terms that will ensure greater victim participation in treatment programs; survivor representation on archdiocesan review boards and inter-denominational spiritual counseling for those who need it. O'Malley needs the support of this community. He needs it because, despite all of the horrendous events that have come to light, the paradoxical reality is that the Catholic Church has historically been the safety net in this and other communities for the poor and the ill and disabled, particularly when government defaults on its portion of the social contract. He needs it because Catholics whose spiritual and social lives have revolved around the church need affirmation that the actions and inactions of church leaders -- human beings -- are no reason to question the fundamental tenets of their faith. He needs it because what we do in Boston will be watched by everyone, everywhere. Some of these cases may well be tried. "Healing" is a long way off. We have the lowest church attendance of almost any major diocese in the country. The archdiocese is in financial crisis, not because of victims or their lawyers, but because people exercised their feelings with their checkbooks. Church leaders created this disaster, but we now have a new leader. He is different. There are those within the church who wish to see him fail, but we cannot allow that to happen. O'Malley not only needs the support of this community, he has earned it. Roderick MacLeish Jr. is a principal shareholder in the law firm of Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
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