wfn.org | Canadian church to pay judgment in residential schools ruling

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

Church share of judgment to be paid by national body,
diocese of Cariboo assesses its financial capacity

SEPTEMBER 27, 1999, TORONTO -- The Anglican Church's national governing
body, its General Synod, has made arrangements to pay the church's portion
of a judgment in a case arising from sexual abuse in an Indian Residential
School at Lytton, B.C.

The Government of Canada, the General Synod and the Anglican Diocese of
Cariboo were found jointly liable for abuse committed by a former child
care worker at St. George's school in the early 1970s. The amount of the
settlement is confidential, by agreement.

Archdeacon Jim Boyles, the church's general secretary, said the General
Synod has contacted the victim's solicitor to arrange payment of the amount
he requested from the church, including the share owed by the Diocese of
Cariboo. "It's not yet clear whether the diocese can raise its share,"
Archdeacon Boyles said, "but we don't want the plaintiff to be forced to
wait any longer for the settlement to which we all agree he's entitled."
Archdeacon Boyles said the General Synod has arranged to borrow the
necessary funds through a line of credit.

The church agreed before the court case began that the plaintiff had
suffered abuse at the hands of the child care worker, who was an employee
of the federal government. The trial was to determine the share of
liability among the parties. In a statement released September 1, one day
after the judgment, Archdeacon Boyles had said the church would pay its
share of the damages regardless of whether it appealed the decision.
Archdeacon Boyles said the Diocese of Cariboo is reviewing its financial
capacity and expects a report to be available early in November. The
diocese has no insurance and has nearly exhausted its financial reserves.
-30-

For further information contact:
Archdeacon Jim Boyles, General Secretary
416-924-9199 ext. 280

Doug Tindal,
Director of Information Resources,
416-924-9199
ext. 286;
905-335-8349 (residence)
or
Sam Carriere
Editor, Print Resources
416-924-9199
ext. 256
Links:
"Court ruling clears way for settlement, church and Crown held jointly
liable" -- 1999-09-01 press release
<http://www.anglican.ca/news/ans/ans.html?ansItem=1999-09-01_a.ans>
"Church leader says court rulings could jeopardize church work" --
1999-06-17 press release
<http://www.anglican.ca/news/ans/ans.html?ansItem=1999-06-17_a.ans>
Residential Schools: Legacy and Response -- new section in national church
website (information, background and resources)
<http://www.anglican.ca/ministry/rs/>