In a landmark class-action lawsuit, a Quebec judge has awarded up to $150,000 each in damages to victims who were sexually abused by priests.
The case involves at least 70 male students at the St. Alphonse Seminary, a boys’ school run by the Redemptorists Order in St. Anne de Beaupre near Quebec City until it closed in 1987.
The former students, represented in the class-action by Frank Tremblay, attended the school, now called St. Alphonse College, between 1960 and 1987.
Superior Court Judge Claude Bouchard says it is ‘inconceivable’ that the religious order did nothing to stop the abuse by nine priests over nearly three decades.
Six of those priests have since passed away. All had taken a vow of poverty.
The congregation will have to pay up if the accused aren’t able to, said Pierre Boivin, one of the crown prosecutors.
The victims suffered stress, shame, addiction and relationship issues. At least one man committed suicide.
The total damages could range between $11 million and $20 million.
It’s not yet known if the Redemptorists will appeal.
-- with files from The Canadian Press
