Bathurst Catholic diocese in court over abuse compensation

Day two of the trialinvolving the Bathurst Catholic dioceseand its insurance company got underway in Moncton on Wednesday.

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A lawsuit was filed by the Diocese of Bathurst against Aviva Insurance over compensation for abuse victims.

The church believes itsinsurance should cover the payouts.

On Wednesday, Archbishop Valery Vienneau tookthe stand before judge Stephan McNally.

Most of thequestioning by Aviva defense lawyer Charles LeBlond revolved around retired priest Levi Noel.

Noel spent 30 years in the Diocese of Bathurst and wassentenced in 2010to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to22 sex-related offences.The victims were boys between the ages of eight and 16 at the time of the abuse.

LeBlond referred to correspondence between Vienneau, Noel and many other members of the Roman Catholic church dating back to the early sixties.

The letters and notes demonstrated a clear pattern of abuse allegations in the areas Noel worked, followed by his subsequent transfer from over a half-dozen communities.

Many letters revealed deep concern over Noel's conduct.

Speaking to reporters outside of court,Leblondsaid the issue iswhat the diocese knew, "and by diocese, I mean the archbishops of the day as they progressed through the years, and when notice of potential claims should have been provided."

Leblond says there are time limitations on these types ofclaims.

The trial is expected to continue into next week.