Abuse review findings to be released next month: archbishop

Editor’s Note: This article was updated Nov. 1, 2019, to correct the number of cases and recommendations.

Archbishop J. Michael Miller says details of the archdiocesan review of past sexual abuse cases in the Archdiocese of Vancouver will be released next month.

The review, announced by the archbishop last year, involves a detailed study of past abuse cases by a review committee of abuse survivors, civil and canon law experts, and others. The committee’s final report will include recommendations and a plan for improving supports for victims.

At the annual Archbishop’s Dinner in Vancouver Oct. 22, Archbishop Miller promised to release the details during the week of Nov. 18. Among the details will be 31 recommendations by the 13-member Case Review Committee, as well as his response on moving forward with implementation of the recommendations.

The review committee was appointed to review historical cases of sexual abuse in the archdiocese from 1950 to the present day.

The committee studied 36 cases and in July presented him with two documents: a report on the process and a letter of recommendations. In September, he appointed an Implementation Working Group to work out ways to put those recommendations in place. 

“We must find more effective ways to support and care for victims of abuse, to protect everyone from it ever happening again, and to bring justice and closure to historical cases of abuse,” he said at Tuesday night’s dinner.

He asked the faithful to pray “that our response will bring about changes in protocols, accountability for perpetrators, and practices of improved outreach and care for victim-survivors.”

In a letter to the faithful last February, the archbishop said he remains committed to “correcting any systemic flaws that contributed to abuse or cover-up” and that the archdiocese’s website has been updated to make it easier for victims to report abuse and access support.