Roman Catholic Church / Christian Brothers / Mount Cashel

Update: October 9, 2024

Approval of Interim Distribution

A Court Hearing was held on October 8, 2024.  At the hearing, the following was determined: 

• The Court ordered that an interim distribution amount of approximately 25% of your settlement will be provided.
• There is an automatic twenty-one (21) day appeal period which applies to all Orders of this nature.  We will not receive the distribution funds until after that date. 
• We expect to be in a position to give Claimants their interim distribution in early November.
• To view the Interim Distribution Order please click here.

Update: September 11, 2024:

A Case Management Meeting was held before Justice Handrigan on August 28,2024.

• There is a question whether individuals who have passed away after June 28, 2024, the date on which the Claims Adjudications were distributed, would be eligible to receive funds.  Individuals who passed away before June 28, 2024 are not entitled to pain and suffering claims but are entitled to loss of income claims.  With respect to those who passed away since June 28, 2024, September 25, 2024 was set as a date to hear an application on this issue.  It is our position that claimants who passed away should be entitled to receive full compensation.

• Claimants’ Counsel have been working for an interim distribution. Although there are outstanding issues, it is Claimants’ Counsel’s position the funds should be distributed to Claimants as early as possible.  October 8, 2024 was set as a date to hear an Application by Claimants’ Counsel to distribute an interim payment to claimants.  It must be understood that if we are successful in achieving an interim payment, this will not be the full payment.  Further details will be provided on any interim distribution method.

• A number of appeals have been filed against the Claim Adjudications.  How these appeals, more commonly referred to as a Notice of Dispute, will be addressed and set to be heard on September 25, 2024 as well.  Given the commonality of many of the appeals, it is hoped they can be organized into groups to avoid having too many hearings.  However, there will be individual hearings on a number of claims.  Once again, we will keep claimants up-to-date on the status of any appeal.

• Further updates will be posted after the September 25, 2024 and October 8, 2024 Court hearings.

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse committed by a member of the Irish Christian Brothers of Canada, a Roman Catholic priest in or around St. John’s or other person associated with the Roman Catholic Church in St. John’s you may be eligible for compensation. Bob Buckingham Law represents a number of individuals who are survivors and are filing claims against the Roman Catholic Church in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

The Church has sought protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act of Canada.

The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador has approved a process for individuals to file claims against the Church. If you believe you have a claim please feel free to register with our firm by filling out the form below. Alternatively, you can call our office at 709-739-6688, ext. 5. or you can complete our office Contact Us Form.

Please note there is a final date to file your claim of September 30, 2023. In order to prepare a complete and comprehensive package on your behalf, please contact us immediately.