The Newfoundland Priests

 

It's been more than 20 years since the issue of the sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests rocketed to the headlines in Canada. More than a decade later similar allegations came to light in the U.S. and other countries. But it was in the late 1980s that the Christian Brothers, who operated the Mount Cashel Orphanage in St. John's, Newfoundland were accused of abusing the children in their care. The government, police and church colluded in an unsuccessful attempt to cover up the allegations. In December 1989 the St. John's Sunday Express carried a report that publicized the abuse. More than 300 former pupils came forward with allegations of physical and sexual abuse at the orphanage.

 

In September 1990 the program Sunday Morning aired a documentary about one of the priests who was charged and convicted of abuse. On Rewind on September 30, you'll hear The Confession of Brendan Foley. Brendan Foley, a former priest in Newfoundland, was charged with sexual offences involving young people aged 18 and 19.  The charges against Foley and nearly two dozen other priests and brothers angered and pained many in that province.

 

In light of ongoing issues regarding the Catholic Church and sexual abuse, Rewind repeats this insightful interview.

 

Also on the program, Peter Gzowski's interview with two Newfoundland mothers who in 1990 were dealing with the abuse of their sons by their parish priest Jim Hickey. He was convicted of molesting children and sentenced to five years in prison.  

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