Anglophone school council members speak out about proposed loss of authority
Education Minister introduced the changes to the act in the legislature Tuesday afternoon
Proposed reforms in the anglophone school system were introduced Tuesday by Education Minister Bill Hogan. The changes would remove district education councils' authority over superintendents and budgets starting July 1.
The stated intention is to have more uniform application of policies such as inclusion across the province.
"I call bullshit on that," said Rob Fowler, who became a member of the Anglophone South council in 2005 and served as chair from 2008 to 2021.
"The problem we had was funding."
Alex
Morton, former Anglophone East district education council member, said
the changes will remove any semblance of local control the councils have
over the superintendent or the budget. (Denis Duquette)
It was difficult to provide inclusive classrooms because the budget was short $3 million to $5 million to hire enough educational assistants, said Fowler.
As a result, the Anglophone South council rejected its budget at one point, and that "caused some issues" with former education minister Dominic Cardy, he said.
"What voice is going to say that now?" Fowler asked.
Alex Morton, a former Anglophone East education council member, agreed money should be more of a priority than consistency.
"It's making sure the kids are supported and have the equal opportunity to learn," he said.
And $2.5 million doesn't go very far to maintain every school in the district, he said.
"There's a lot of people trying to move parts around to keep the ship from sinking."
Fowler and Morton are both disappointed by the proposed amendments and believe local accountability and input will be lost, such as the ability to set priorities that reflect community needs.
A district education council could decide it wanted to place a particular focus on math or literacy, for example, said Fowler.
Thomas
Geburt, chair of the Anglophone West district education council, said
at a meeting last May about 40 members of the four anglophone councils
came up with their own recommendations to improve the system, but they
were ignored. (Submitted by Thomas Geburt)
The Anglophone West district education council was able to set two categories of policies, said Thomas Geburt, chair of the council — executive limitations and end results. And the superintendent had to report to the council at monthly public meetings.
The council also had a significant role in decisions about school closures, said Fowler.
In half of the cases when school shutdowns were contemplated, the district education council ended up recommending a school stay open, as a result of input gathered during its established public consultation process.
"That voice is going to be lost," he said.
There's no requirement to listen. There's no feedback loop. It essentially becomes one person in Fredericton.
- Alex Morton, former Anglophone East district education council member
Fowler cited a court decision about one particular school closure case in which the judge said the minister was duty-bound to accept the education council's recommendation. By contrast, ministers have consistently said they had veto power, said Fowler.
Morton agreed the changes will remove any semblance of local control the councils have over the superintendent or the budget.
"Now, it's just blatant," he said.
"There's no requirement to listen. There's no feedback loop. It essentially becomes one person in Fredericton."
Ultimately, the council can only write a letter and ask the minister for permission to do something.
"We're setting up the education minister and ultimately the premier to fail in this situation because it's too much for one person to do all of that work."
In a way, the amendments only codify what has been the de facto system, said Morton.
District education councils are supposed to have control of the budget, but it's essentially dictated from Fredericton, he said.
Morton gave the example of a 75-year-old building that was due to be replaced eight years ago. The province decided to install an $800,000 elevator in it that nobody locally wanted, he said.
He would have much preferred to see changes go in the opposite direction by giving the councils a greater say.
At a meeting last May, about 40 members of the four anglophone district councils came up with their own recommendations to improve the system, said Geburt, but those were ignored.
The system isn't "broken," he said. It generally works well, but could use some tweaking.
Fowler, too, was hoping the government would strengthen the role of the district education councils by solidifying their decision-making powers.
Many times council members have felt a sense of futility and frustration, he said, trying to get approvals from the minister or Department of Education.
Michelle
Melendy of the Bessborough Parent School Support Committee in Moncton,
says proposed changes could mean opportunities for parents to have a say
at the school level. (Submitted by Michelle Melendy)
This will only serve to discourage citizen engagement in education, he said.
"if you're going to volunteer your time you want to be somewhere that's going to have an impact."
"Your time is probably better spent lobbying the minister or the premier," added Morton.
More say for parents
Meanwhile, Michelle Melendy is pleased about proposed changes for parent school support committees. She is chair of the Bessborough committee and vice-chair of the one at Bernice MacNaughton High School, both in Moncton.
She sees greater opportunities for parents to have a say at the school level because under the reforms, members of the committee would get training so they can help set goals for school improvement plans, she said.
The original proposal, released about a year ago, was to get rid of the parent school support committees noted Morton.
He's glad they'll be sticking around, but doesn't share Melendy's optimism they'll have much input.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Information Morning Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton
Complaints from parents, teachers prompted review of gender policy: N.B. education minister
Bill Hogan declined to say what he thinks is right age for students to be introduced to topics around gender
Aidan Cox · CBC News · Posted: May 10, 2023 4:27 PM ADT
"Liberal Leader Susan Holt suggested that changes to the governance structure of district education councils were part of the government's plan to alter the sex-education curriculum."
This is a good move by the gov't.
...
Group led by former Conservative leadership candidate considering forming a new federal party
Centre Ice Canadians says it's looking into a new party for centrist Canadians unhappy with current options
Darren Major · CBC News · Posted: May 10, 2023 6:56 PM ADT
"Former New Brunswick education minister Dominic Cardy will co-lead a working group with Peterson exploring the feasibility of a new party."
Reply to Sam Smithers
Reply to Michael Cain
Contact Us
Contact Email:
Bessborough@nbed.nb.ca
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Complaints from parents, teachers prompted review of gender policy: N.B. education minister
Bill Hogan declined to say what he thinks is right age for students to be introduced to topics around gender
Speaking to reporters at the legislature Wednesday, Hogan revealed more details about what prompted his department to launch a review of the policy, in place since 2020, which details protections that must be offered in schools to students who identify as LGBTQ+.
He said he's heard concerns from both parents and teachers that the policy crosses into the realm of sex-education curriculum, raising questions about how the policy should be implemented and at what age students should be introduced to the topic of gender identity.
"I want to ensure that ... when we're teaching our curricula, that parents are informed and, you know, that we're not going places where children are not developmentally ready to be," Hogan said.
Hogan declined to say what he thinks is an appropriate age for students to be introduced to topics around gender identity.
"I don't know if they're being taught too early or not, and I think that's part of what I've asked for," he said. "How do these two things go together, and what's the scope and sequence?"
Policy 713 lays out minimum requirements for school districts to create a safe, welcoming learning environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex and two-spirited students.
It says students have the right to self-identify and express themselves without fear of consequence, and teachers must create a school culture where the students "see themselves and their lives positively reflected."
The policy allows students to pick which pronouns apply to them and requires teachers to respect their choice. It lets them establish gender-sexuality alliance groups without requiring parental consent or notification.
It also says each school must have at least one gender-neutral bathroom.
On Monday, parents and teachers accused Hogan of caving in to hate after he revealed his department was reviewing the policy because of a backlash against the guidelines.
An attempt to roll back sex ed: Opposition
Speaking during question period in the legislature Wednesday, Liberal Leader Susan Holt accused the government of seeking to roll back sex education for LGBTQ+ students.
Holt suggested that the move was directed by Premier Blaine Higgs, and that new changes to the governance structure of district education councils were really about giving the premier free reign to interfere with the sex-ed curriculum.
Liberal
Leader Susan Holt suggested that changes to the governance structure of
district education councils were part of the government's plan to alter
the sex-education curriculum. (Aidan Cox/CBC)
"Now he's made changes to the DEC model, so that the premier can put his hands on middle school sex-education curriculum because the new model would not constrain that power," Holt said.
Speaking to reporters, Hogan said that assertion by Holt was false, but went on to say his department needs to look at the "scope and sequence" of certain curricula, including that of sex education, to see how it's being implemented.
"And to see how that matches with the with Policy 713 — if it does or if it doesn't — or if it's created confusion in the province amongst our teachers."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anglophone school council members speak out about proposed loss of authority
Education Minister introduced the changes to the act in the legislature Tuesday afternoon
Jennifer Sweet · CBC News · Posted: May 10, 2023 5:50 PM ADT
"Proposed reforms in the anglophone school system were introduced Tuesday by Education Minister Bill Hogan. The changes would remove district education councils' authority over superintendents and budgets starting July 1.
The stated intention is to have more uniform application of policies such as inclusion across the province.
"I call bullshit on that," said Rob Fowler, who became a member of the Anglophone South council in 2005 and served as chair from 2008 to 2021.
"The problem we had was funding."
Liberal leader targets wait list for primary care in her 1st question in legislature
Susan Holt sworn in, directs questions to health, education ministers
Holt was elected leader of the N.B. Liberal Party nine months ago, but did not have a seat in the legislature. In a byelection in April, she was elected in Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint Isidore, and was sworn into the legislature Tuesday.
She also participated in her first question period, wearing a black T-shirt with "Straight outta Bathurst" printed in bold white letters.
Her first question as leader of the Official Opposition was to Health Minister Bruce Fitch: How many people are still on the primary-care wait list?
"New Brunswickers made it clear to me and to all members of our team that the number one thing that keeps them up at night is their health, their loved ones' health and their access to care," she said.
Fitch said that at one point, the list had 74,000 people, largely owing to a record increase in population. Now, the list is at 47,000 people.
Holt said the government has already missed one of its deadlines to eliminate the wait list, and there's a new target for the end of June. She asked whether the province will be able to meet that deadline, but Fitch did not explicitly answer the question.
"We're going to continue to work day in and day out to reduce that number to make sure people have access to primary care," he said.
When the New Brunswick health plan was announced in 2021, the number of people on the list was at 40,000. After a jump in population, it increased to 74,000, then decreased again, he said.
Holt questions education minister
Holt's second question was about the province's handling of a backlash against a school policy meant to protect LGBTQ students.
The policy sets minimum standards for a safe environment for LGBTQ students, allows students to choose their pronouns and requires teachers to respect their choice. It also allows them to establish gender-sexuality alliance groups without requiring parental consent or notification.
The province has said it is rethinking the policy because of "misunderstandings and concerns," and Holt asked Education Minister to describe the nature of the complaints the government has received, the specific number and where they came from.
Hogan didn't provide the information in his response.
"We believe in respectful, safe and inclusive school environment," he said. "We will continue to promote and guarantee that, we will continue to guarantee the Charter of Rights and Freedoms."
Holt said Hogan created an unsafe environment with comments last week, when he distanced himself from a learning session teachers were holding at a Fredericton-area school on sexual orientation and gender identify.
Holt said if the minister "were interested in ensuring that students were safe in schools, he would be putting his full support" behind the policy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
No elected members on new regional health authority boards, province says
Before they were changed by Premier Higgs in 2022, boards had 7 appointed members, 8 elected
"These amendments will align New Brunswick with most other Canadian jurisdictions," Fitch said.
Last summer, Premier Blaine Higgs replaced the 15 voting members of the Horizon and Vitalité boards with a single trustee for each, after a man died in a Fredericton emergency room while waiting for care. He also fired the Horizon CEO and replaced the minister of health at the time.
The boards previously had seven appointed members and eight elected.
Premier
Blaine Higgs replaced the 15 voting members of the Horizon and Vitalité
boards with a single trustee each last summer, after a man died in a
Fredericton emergency room. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Liberal Susan Holt, the leader of the official opposition, told reporters the move to all-appointed boards is "deeply concerning."
"What we really need to see is not a centralization of decision-making power, but a decentralization back to true community voices," she said.
"This continues to undermine what is already a very weak democracy."
Liberal Leader Susan Holt told reporters that the move to all-appointed boards is 'deeply concerning.' (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Green Party Leader David Coon said democratic governance "that was there in the health-care system, that involves the participation of local communities and decision-making through representatives, is gone."
However, Fitch said the change will help speed up some decisions that need to be made because there will be fewer people needed to sign off on them.
The two trustees have done a great job, he said, but it's better to have a "broader section" on the boards, "so that they can help make the correct decisions moving forward."
Legal action still ongoing
A francophone health-care lobby group, Égalité Santé en Français, filed for a judicial review of the Vitalité board's replacement last summer.
The group's lawyer, Ronald Caza, said at the time the replacement of the board violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees the rights of New Brunswick's English and French communities to their own "distinct educational and cultural institutions."
This wasn't the first legal action taken by the group on this issue.
Caza said a lawsuit filed in 2017 against the provincial government is still ongoing. He said it was launched because having eight elected and seven appointed board members meant the francophone population didn't have full management of its health services.
Lawyer
Ronald Caza said this development means that the pleadings will need to
change to make sure the court is aware that 'the situation is
considerably more serious than it was when we started the litigation.' (Radio-Canada)
"So this amendment to the law which is being proposed ... they're actually making the situation a lot worse," said Caza.
The government said in its news release the change would align New Brunswick with other provinces, but Caza said this is not the case.
"They cannot compare themselves to the situation in other provinces because what they've done effectively ... is they've actually taken a right away," he said.
"No other province has that type of protection given so clearly to its minorities, its linguistic communities."
Caza said this development means that the pleadings will need to change to make sure the court is aware that "the situation is considerably more serious than it was when we started the litigation."
When Fitch was asked by reporters if he thought his proposed bill would be a enough to make the legal action go away, the health minister said, "that is a question that is before the courts."
New provincewide health council
Also Tuesday, Fitch told the legislature a health-system collaboration council would be established and be made up of the minister of health and the representatives from both regional health authorities. He said this would ensure a "patient-centred, accessible, responsible system that people can count on."
A news release from the Department of Health said the council would provide a provincewide perspective on development, recruitment and clinical opportunities.
Caza said the introduction of the council "provides absolutely nothing."
"The fact that different entities get together to discuss some of the issues provides no form of governance to the linguistic minority. So it is quite unfortunate."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Réponse automatique : Mitchell Garabedian, William H Gordon, Eric MacLeish and Wilson Rogers should remember me now
Ronald F. Caza<RCaza@plaideurs.ca> | Tue, May 23, 2023 at 8:41 PM |
| To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | |
Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Delete | Show original | |
Je suis en préparation pour une audience et en audience les 24 et 25 mai, 2023. Je répondrai à vos courriels dès que possible par la suite. Si vous avez besoin de communiquer avec quelqu'un immédiatement, n'hésitez pas de communiquer avec mon adjointe Ketsia au knininahazwe@plaideurs.ca qui se fera un plaisir de vous aider. I am in preparation for and attending a hearing on May 24th and 25th, 2023. I will be responding to your email as soon as possible thereafter. If you require immediate assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my assistant Ketsia at knininahazwe@plaideurs.ca who will be pleased to assist you. Merci! Ronald
RONALD F. CAZA Avocat/Lawyer
CazaSaikaley SRL/LLP 1420-220 Laurier ouest/West Ottawa, ON K1P 5Z9 Tél/Tel 613 564-8267 Téléc/Fax 613 565 2087
| |
Francophone group asks court to overturn firing of health authority board
Égalité santé en français says Higgs government’s move violated charter rights
A francophone health care lobby group is going to court hoping to quash the Higgs government's firing of the Vitalité health authority board last month.
Égalité santé en français is seeking a quick hearing in the Court of Queen's Bench for a judicial review of the decision.
They want to persuade a judge to order the reinstatement of the board, which had eight elected members and seven appointed by the province.
Lawyer Ronald Caza said the July 15 replacement of the board violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees the rights of New Brunswick's English and French communities to their own "distinct educational and cultural institutions."
Lawyer Ronald Caza says the firings violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (Radio-Canada)
"If the community doesn't take this to court, it's the beginning of the end," Caza said at a news conference.
"It's literally the beginning of the end. The government will take it as a message that they don't have to respect their constitutional obligations. … They are taking away an existing right to management by a linguistic minority. Imagine what they'll do with their other obligations."
Whether the Charter's guarantee of "distinct educational and cultural institutions" includes health care has never been fully tested in court.
But Caza argues that the creation of two elected health authority boards in 2008 along linguistic lines extended those rights to health care and that can't be taken away now.
The court filing also invokes Section 23 of the Charter, which guarantees minority-language educational institutions and has been interpreted to require a level of community governance.
The Health Department said it would not comment on a case before the courts, but late Friday, Premier Blaine Higgs released a statement calling the court action "disappointing … at a time when we face genuine healthcare challenges throughout our province and all of Canada."
"Our goal is to ensure our two health networks complement each other in their delivery of the best care possible to our residents while also respecting all official language rights."
Bruce
Fitch has defended the removal of both the francophone and anglophone
health authority boards, which happened the same day he was named health
minister. (Pat Richard/CBC)
Before the court challenge announcement, Health Minister Bruce Fitch defended the firing of the Horizon and Vitalité health authority boards, saying it will allow a more "direct line of contact" between different parts of the health care system.
Higgs replaced both health boards with elected trustees at the same time as he fired Horizon CEO Dr. John Dornan and named Fitch to replace Dorothy Shephard as health minister.
Fitch said the move was intended in part as a signal of the government's seriousness to address worsening emergency department wait times and other chronic problems in the system.
"That gets the attention of everybody that we mean business," he said on CBC's Information Morning in the Summer.
Higgs said in July the replacement of the two boards with trustees was temporary, but last week he referred to it as "a change to the governance model."
The minister said "legislative changes" are coming in the fall but wouldn't say whether that will permanently eliminate elected boards.
"I don't want to get ahead of it," he said.
"People always jump to a conclusion that may not be there. That's the danger of talking too far ahead of making a decision."
Dr. Hubert Dupuis, president of Égalité Santé en Français, said the group believes in management that is closer to the public. (CBC)
Égalité santé en français says eliminating elected boards won't fix anything in the system and will only make things worse by further distancing management from the communities they serve.
"We believe in management that is closer to the public," said the group's president Dr. Hubert Dupuis.
Besides Dupuis and other members of the organization, two members of the fired Vitalité board, Dr. Louis-Marie Simard and Norma McGraw, are also part of the court application.
Égalité santé en français is already suing the province in an attempt to make the health authority more independent from the government by having its entire board and its CEO elected.
That lawsuit will continue separately from the case announced Friday.
Dupuis accused the government of stalling that lawsuit by recently hiring an outside law firm to handle the case.
He said Higgs's ultimate goal is a single health authority for the entire province, though Higgs promised earlier this year that he would not merge Horizon and Vitalité.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from CBC’s Information Morning in the Summer
Ronald F. Caza
Partner
- Recipient of the Law Society of Ontario Medal
- Recipient of the “Best Lawyers in Canada” award in corporate and commercial litigation
- Recognized by Benchmark Litigation © as one of the preeminent litigators in the province
Biography
Ronald has been practising advocacy in both official languages since his call to the Bar of the Province of Ontario in 1989. He has represented clients before the Ontario Court, the Superior Court of Ontario, the Divisional Court of Ontario, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Court of Queen’s Bench in New Brunswick, the Superior Court of Quebec, the Court of Appeal of Quebec and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Ronald practised with one of Ottawa’s pre-eminent law firms for 15 years, and recently, he was the managing partner of the Ottawa office and a member of the National Management Committee of one of Canada’s largest law firms.
Ronald was recently awarded the prestigious Law Society Medal, an award that is given for outstanding service in accordance with the highest ideals of the legal profession. He was also recognized as a leading litigator in Canada. In 2011, he was selected to be included in the most recent edition of “Best Lawyers in Canada” for corporate and commercial litigation. In the same year, Benchmark Canada has identified him as one of the preeminent litigation practitioners in the province.
In 2016, Ronald was awarded the Order for Ontario, which is the most prestigious official honour that can be awarded to citizens of the province. A former director of the Montfort Hospital, Ronald has also acted as Chair of the Boards of United Way/Centraide Ottawa, the Social Planning Council of Ottawa-Carleton, the Centre parascolaire des pionniers, the Regroupement des gens d’affaires de la Capitale Nationale and L’Écho d’un peuple. He chaired four annual conventions of the Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario. He was also a director of Fondation franco-ontarienne, Action-Housing and Christie Lake Kids. He has organized the Laskin Moot Competition, a national bilingual competition for law faculties. Ronald is currently President of Franco Biz and the Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Ottawa, a director of Centre des services à la famille and presently is the Chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s Awards Committee.
I.G. Whitehall, K.C.
Arbitrator
- Former Chief General Counsel at the federal Department of Justice
- Appeared over 30 times as lead counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada
- Named one of the Best Lawyers in Canada©
Biography
Mr. Whitehall has a JD from the University of British Columbia and a graduate degree in Public Law from the University of Alberta Law School.
After a short period in practice in Vancouver he joined the Department of Justice in 1971 occupying increasingly senior positions and in 1989 becoming the Chief General Counsel with the rank of Assistant Deputy Minister. He was in the apposition until he retired from the Public Service.
Mr. Whitehall has considerable experience in commercial litigation. Mr. Whitehall was the Chief General Counsel of the Canadian Department of Justice from 1989 to 2003. Mr. Whitehall is part of an elite circle of litigators, having appeared dozens of times before the Supreme Court of Canada. He is also one of those rare lawyers possessing experience with major commercial cases, arbitrations and public inquiries. He has been repeatedly named as Canada’s best lawyers in litigation involving First Nations.
Mr. Whitehall’s experience as counsel highlights our firm’s capacity and reputation in public law litigation, such as Charter and aboriginal rights issues.
Mr. Whitehall has appeared several times as counsel before major national and international arbitrations. He has been named as a member of the Canadian Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce and he was a member of the ADR Institute of Canada. Mr. Whitehall. In 2012, Mr. Whitehall was appointed a Deputy Judge of the Superior Court of Justice, Small Claims Division, where he regularly presided over cases involving contract disputes.
For several years Mr. Whitehall has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in Canada and lectured extensively on numerous legal topics. Mr. Whitehall was once again recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in Canada in 2017 for his work in International Arbitration and Aboriginal Law.
Mr. Whitehall retired as a lawyer effective December 31, 2021. However, he continues to act an arbitrator.
Mitchell Garabedian, William H Gordon, Eric MacLeish and Wilson Rogers should remember me now
postmaster@plaideurs.ca<postmaster@plaideurs.ca> |  Tue, May 23, 2023 at 8:35 PM | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| To: rcaza@plaideurs.ca, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "bruce.fitch" <bruce.fitch@gnb.ca> | |||||||||||||||
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---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Date: Tue, 23 May 2023 20:35:47 -0300 Subject: Fwd: Mitchell Garabedian, William H Gordon, Eric MacLeish and Wilson Rogers should remember me now To: SWOntario@snapnetwork.org, jeboyle@rogers.com, marion.kelly12@hotmail.ca, SNAPVancouver@snapnetwork.org, laura.clementson@cbc.ca, Gillian.Findlay@cbc.ca, mbastarache@plaideurs.ca, rtalach@beckettinjurylawyers. "Chuck.Thompson" <Chuck.Thompson@cbc.ca>, "sylvie.gadoury" <sylvie.gadoury@radio-canada. <premier@ontario.ca>, premier <premier@gnb.ca>, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, premier <premier@gov.ab.ca>, Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nt.ca>, premier <premier@gov.yk.ca>, premier <premier@gov.bc.ca>, premier <premier@leg.gov.mb.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nl.ca>, premier <premier@gov.pe.ca>, press <press@larouchepac.com>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, oldmaison@yahoo.com, "Mike.Comeau" <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, "Michael.Duheme" <Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca SNAPvirginia@cox.net, zhiner@snapnetwork.org, mmcdonnell@snapnetwork.org, rmacleish@ghaelaw.com, mgarabedianlaw@garabedianlaw. wrogersiii@therogerslawfirm. walter.robinson@globe.com Cc: "Boston.Mail" <Boston.Mail@ic.fbi.gov>, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov> ---------- Original message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2019 18:24:39 -0400 Subject: RE SNAP and the Fifth Estate Please enjoy the mail I promised to send To: SWOntario@snapnetwork.org, jeboyle@rogers.com, marion.kelly12@hotmail.ca, SNAPVancouver@snapnetwork.org, laura.clementson@cbc.ca, Gillian.Findlay@cbc.ca Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, mbastarache@plaideurs.ca, rtalach@beckettinjurylawyers. <Chuck.Thompson@cbc.ca>, "sylvie.gadoury" <sylvie.gadoury@radio-canada. "barbara.massey" <barbara.massey@rcmp-grc.gc.ca <premier@ontario.ca>, premier <premier@gnb.ca>, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, premier <premier@gov.ab.ca>, Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nt.ca>, premier <premier@gov.yk.ca>, premier <premier@gov.bc.ca>, premier <premier@leg.gov.mb.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nl.ca>, premier <premier@gov.pe.ca>, press <press@larouchepac.com>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, "steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, oldmaison@yahoo.com https://www.snapnetwork.org/ Canada Coquitlam British Columbia Contact: Leona Huggins Phone: 604-240-3741 Email: SNAPVancouver@SNAPnetwork.org Windsor Ontario Contact: Brenda Brunelle Email: SWontario@snapnetwork.org Toronto Ontario Contact: Marion Kelly Phone: 416-274-5954 Email: marion.kelly12@hotmail.ca SNAP SW Ontario Releases List of Credibly Accused Priests of the Roman Catholic Diocese of London (Ont). December 04, 2019 The following individuals were Roman Catholic priests who were either incardinated priests of the Roman Catholic Diocese of London (Ontario) or committed the offences noted while serving within the geographical and ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Diocese of London. If the individual belonged to another Religious Order of Diocese at the time, it is noted in parentheses. These 36 individuals were criminally convicted, and/or criminally charged by more than one complainant and/or sued in a civil lawsuit which resolved for more than $50,000. These categories are the basis of their “credibly accused” status. The time period of offences contained within this list is 1952 to 2005, being a period of 54 years inclusive. The events take place in numerous communities throughout the Diocese of London and in some cases also elsewhere. The individuals in this List are limited to those who offended with young people, being minor males or females, under the age of 18. Members on this list are both deceased and living, with a ꝉ symbol noting those who are now deceased. A copy of this list with citations and links to supporting information can be found here. This list is a work in progress and any additional information, corrections or comments are welcome. Accuracy, accountability and transparency is the ultimate goal. If you wish to make comment or correction please contact: Brenda Brunelle – Southwestern Ontario SNAP Leader at – SWOntario@SNAPNetwork.org 1 519 903-7503 Jerry Boyle SNAP Member at - jeboyle@rogers.com 1 519 241-8165 https://davidraymondamos. https://twitter.com/ David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos @Kathryn98967631 and 49 others Methinks CBC and the folks within SNAP should Google two names Robert Talach and David Raymond Amos Then ask the lawyer to explain page 134 of this file real slow N'esy Pas? http://checktheevidence.com/ #cdnpoli #nbpoli https://www.cbc.ca/news/ http://davidraymondamos3. >>>> ----- 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. >>>> >> >> >> >> http://davidraymondamos3. >> >> Tuesday, 14 February 2017 >> >> RE FATCA, NAFTA & TPP etc ATTN President Donald J. Trump I just got >> off the phone with your lawyer Mr Cohen (646-853-0114) Why does he lie >> to me after all this time??? >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Michael Cohen <mcohen@trumporg.com> >> Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:15:14 +0000 >> Subject: Automatic reply: RE FATCA ATTN Pierre-Luc.Dusseault I just >> called and left a message for you >> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> >> >> Effective January 20, 2017, I have accepted the role as personal >> counsel to President Donald J. Trump. All future emails should be >> directed to mdcohen212@gmail.com and all future calls should be >> directed to 646-853-0114. >> ______________________________ __ >> This communication is from The Trump Organization or an affiliate >> thereof and is not sent on behalf of any other individual or entity. >> This email may contain information that is confidential and/or >> proprietary. Such information may not be read, disclosed, used, >> copied, distributed or disseminated except (1) for use by the intended >> recipient or (2) as expressly authorized by the sender. If you have >> received this communication in error, please immediately delete it and >> promptly notify the sender. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed >> to be received, secure or error-free as emails could be intercepted, >> corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late, incomplete, contain viruses >> or otherwise. The Trump Organization and its affiliates do not >> guarantee that all emails will be read and do not accept liability for >> any errors or omissions in emails. Any views or opinions presented in >> any email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily >> represent those of The Trump Organization or any of its >> affiliates.Nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an >> electronic signature under applicable law. >> >> >> >> >> http://davidraymondamos3. >> >> Sunday, 19 November 2017 >> >> Federal Court of Appeal Finally Makes The BIG Decision And Publishes >> It Now The Crooks Cannot Take Back Ticket To Try Put My Matter Before >> The Supreme Court >> >> https://decisions.fct-cf.gc. >> >> >> Federal Court of Appeal Decisions >> >> Amos v. Canada >> Court (s) Database >> >> Federal Court of Appeal Decisions >> Date >> >> 2017-10-30 >> Neutral citation >> >> 2017 FCA 213 >> File numbers >> >> A-48-16 >> Date: 20171030 >> >> Docket: A-48-16 >> Citation: 2017 FCA 213 >> CORAM: >> >> WEBB J.A. >> NEAR J.A. >> GLEASON J.A. >> >> >> BETWEEN: >> DAVID RAYMOND AMOS >> Respondent on the cross-appeal >> (and formally Appellant) >> and >> HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN >> Appellant on the cross-appeal >> (and formerly Respondent) >> Heard at Fredericton, New Brunswick, on May 24, 2017. >> Judgment delivered at Ottawa, Ontario, on October 30, 2017. >> REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BY: >> >> THE COURT >> >> >> >> Date: 20171030 >> >> Docket: A-48-16 >> Citation: 2017 FCA 213 >> CORAM: >> >> WEBB J.A. >> NEAR J.A. >> GLEASON J.A. >> >> >> BETWEEN: >> DAVID RAYMOND AMOS >> Respondent on the cross-appeal >> (and formally Appellant) >> and >> HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN >> Appellant on the cross-appeal >> (and formerly Respondent) >> REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BY THE COURT >> >> I. Introduction >> >> [1] On September 16, 2015, David Raymond Amos (Mr. Amos) >> filed a 53-page Statement of Claim (the Claim) in Federal Court >> against Her Majesty the Queen (the Crown). Mr. Amos claims $11 million >> in damages and a public apology from the Prime Minister and Provincial >> Premiers for being illegally barred from accessing parliamentary >> properties and seeks a declaration from the Minister of Public Safety >> that the Canadian Government will no longer allow the Royal Canadian >> Mounted Police (RCMP) and Canadian Forces to harass him and his clan >> (Claim at para. 96). ---------- 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 mgarabedianlaw@garabedianlaw. 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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