Residential school survivor leads class-action lawsuit against Catholic Church, priest
A residential school survivor is leading a class-action lawsuit against the Catholic Church and one of its priests.
It stems from comments allegedly made by the priest during a sermon describing evidence of unmarked graves as "lies" and "manipulation."
Monday, a judge ruled the proposed class-action lawsuit can go forward despite efforts from lawyers representing the archdiocese of Edmonton and a religious order to have it struck down.
That decision was met with lots of tears, smiles and hugs from elder Sphenia Jones, who is leading the case.
About a dozen of Jones' family and supporters rallied Monday in support of residential school survivors and the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges priest Marcin Mironiuk said Indigenous children died of natural causes and questioned the validity of unmarked graves during a mass in 2021.
It sparked backlash and protests at the time.
The archdiocese did not comment on Monday but apologized at the time and put the priest on indefinite administrative leave.
However, a church website in Brampton, Ont., says the priest works there now.
Lawyers behind the class action say denialism against residential schools is a growing phenomenon that further traumatizes survivors.
Jones was forced to attend the former Edmonton residential school when she was 11 and says images of what she witnessed still haunt her at 80.
Lawyers representing the church argued the remarks were made in Polish and misinterpreted, and don't meet the criteria of a class-action lawsuit -- such as referring to Jones directly.
The judge disagreed and said it can go forward and also awarded Jones compensation for what she spent to fight the application to have it struck down.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.