The Redemptorists are Catholic priests who are part of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. In Canada, they reside in Quebec, associated with the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré shrine (below):

And yesterday, after losing a long-standing class action lawsuit for child abuse last month, they agreed to pay a monster fine of $20,000,000:

In a deal announced on Tuesday, the order approved settling a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of abuse victims at the school during a 27-year span beginning in 1960. The students, all boys, were aged 12 to 16 at the time. “This is a landmark case,” said Robert Kugler, a Montreal lawyer who represents the victims. “This is the highest amount that has ever been paid by a religious congregation in Quebec to settle a class action dealing with sexual abuse.” … Quebec Superior Court held the religious order responsible in a ruling in July. The court decision recounts a harrowing catalogue of abuse carried out by the Redemptorist priests against young boys entrusted to their care, from sexual touching to sodomy.

Each of the 70 victims involved in the lawsuit will receive between $75,000-$150,000. And, thankfully, it may bankrupt the Redemptorist order in the area.

No amount of money makes up for what those kids went through, of course, but it’s always good to see some semblance of justice done.

(Image via Shutterstock. Thanks to Michael for the link)



