Cap-Pel arena renaming may move ahead

Cap-Pel council may push ahead with removingthe name of a priest accused of sexually assaulting children fromthe local arena as early as Monday night.

The southeastern New Brunswick village was scheduled to hold a plebiscite May 14 on changing thename of Arna Pre-Camille-Lger to Arna de Cap-Pel. But Deputy Mayor Hector Doirontold CBC News thatArchbishop Andr Richard's apology for the actions ofthe former priest have "changed the dimensions" of the controversy and council has scheduled a special meeting on the issue.

On Sunday, Richard told parishioners he believes the stories of abuse that emerged in recent days and apologized on behalf of the church.

'It's not a legally binding declaration, but it is a public declaration by the Catholic church here. So the municipality will certainly take action to remedy the situation with the name on the arena.' Deputy Mayor Hector Doiron

Richard's acknowledgement may allow the community to move forward with renaming the arena, Doiron said.

"By Monsignor Richard making a public statement to that effect, that he felt that Father Lgerwith having so many come forward and taking responsibility for his actionsnow this situation is such that this happened," he said.

"Mind you it's not a legally binding declaration, but it is a public declaration by the Catholic church here. So the municipality will certainly take action to remedy the situation with the name on the arena."

Council was scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. AT. If the motion to change the name passes, it will take effect immediately, Doiron said.

Lger's picture has already been removed from the arena that has carried his name for 25 years.

Apology appreciated

People in the fishing village say they're pleased with the archbishop's apology.

Several people came forward last weekto talk for the first time about the abuse they experienced by Lger, who died 22 years ago and was never charged.

Richard addressed the controversy while celebrating mass beforeabout 200 people on Sunday. Many people thanked the archbishop for coming to the community and talking about the issue.

Richard thanked the people for breaking their silence on the issue of abuse. "We have no idea what damage, what harm he may have done to the lives of people," Richard said, addingthe church will do what it can to help Lger's victims.

He said Lger was well respected in Cap-Pel where he served from 1957 to1980. Richard said Lger helped incorporate the town, set up a volunteer fire department and build the local arena, but addedthat community involvement made it much more difficult for teenage boys who had been sexually assaulted by the priest to speak out.

"That's part of the complexity of the whole situationthat he was well known and admired, on the other hand this very shady side obviously of his life," he said.

It was long overdue

Antoine Vautour said the Richard did the right thing by asking for forgiveness.

"The archbishop's comments were perfectwe appreciate his comments," Vautour said.

Ulysse Boudreau, who lived in the coastal community when Lger was a priest,also said the regions archbishop took the appropriate action.

"It's only right for the people who got hurt. I was young back then and I remember what he was doing with the kids and it was not right," Boudreau said.

Patricia Niles said she also knows people who were abused by Lger and the archbishop's apology is just one part of the healing process.

"I think it was long overdue for those that have been really hurt, it will be a long process," Niles said.