EX-JUDGE TO REVIEW CHURCH FILES AND IDENTIFY ABUSE CASES

Montreal’s archdiocese has mandated a retired Quebec Superior Court justice to review its files and identify any information tied to sexual abuse against minors or vulnerable people. The archdiocese said André denis began his work in december 2020 and will complete his task by this summer. denis’s investigation will look at files pertaining to the ecclesiastical province of Montreal, which includes the Quebec communities of Joliette, St-jean-longueuil, St-jérôme and Valleyfield. denis has also been mandated to audit the five dioceses, looking at the years 1940 to 2020, with an eye on sexual abuse by priests who are living or deceased. The results of the statistical audit will be released publicly and officials have promised denis will have unfettered access to files.