The plaintiff in a class action lawsuit claiming employees of the Roman Catholic Church in Montreal sexually assaulted individuals for decades has asked to send notice to Class Members.
The lead plaintiff, who goes by the initials AB, filed the request in Superior Court Wednesday. The plaintiff wants to send notice of the class action lawsuit to anyone who was sexually assaulted in Quebec, by a priest or any employee of the Roman Catholic Archiepiscopal Corporation of Montreal or of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Montreal, during the period between 1940 and today. In addition, the heirs or assigns of deceased Class Members will be notified, according to court documents.
The plaintiff and the defendants, the Roman Catholic Archiepiscopal Corporation of Montreal and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Montreal, are participating in settlement negotiations, says the request. Obtaining the number of potential Class Members is “essential” to determine compensation and reach an out-of-court settlement, say the parties.
If approved, notice will be sent via social media and publication in traditional media. Class Members will be given the choice to opt out of the class action lawsuit or any resulting settlement.
The Catholic Church in Quebec is facing a number of allegations that priests and other members of the clergy sexually assaulted and abused people for decades with little to no consequences.
The Diocese of Quebec was hit with a sex abuse class action lawsuit in August 2020. The plaintiff in that litigation seeks to represent “all persons, as well as their heirs, who were sexually assaulted by members of the clergy or lay pastoral personnel under the responsibility of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Quebec and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Quebec between January 1, 1940 and the judgment yet to be passed.”
The Catholic Church is also facing pressure internationally after the remains of more than 200 children were discovered at a former Residential School in British Columbia. The Catholic Church, as well as other Christian organizations, ran residential schools across Canada between 1800 and the 1970s, including the facility in Kamloops.
What do you think of the recent Quebec sexual abuse class action lawsuits? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!
The plaintiff is represented by Arsenault Dufresne Wee Avocats.
The Montreal Catholic Church Sexual Assault Class Action Lawsuit is AB v. Roman Catholic Archiepiscopal Corporation of Montreal, et al., Case No. 500-06-000992-194 in the Superior Court of Québec in Montreal.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
