Sask. Catholic churches delay, reject calls to release internal files on abuser priests

Joey Basaraba, a 55-year-old Indigenous man from Saskatchewan, has been publicly advocating for greater transparency from the Catholic Church regarding the identities of abusive priests. Basaraba alleges he was repeatedly sexually assaulted by two priests in Prince Albert starting at age six, an experience that significantly impacted his life. He failed Grade 1 twice, dropped out of school, and never learned to read or write. His advocacy comes amid renewed national calls for church accountability following the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at a former residential school site in Kamloops, B.C.

Basaraba is joining a growing chorus of survivors and advocates urging the Catholic Church to release all records related to abusive priests and to cease legal battles against survivors. He emphasizes that his primary concern is the truth, not financial compensation. “I want to believe in God, I want to get past this. But how can I?” he said, expressing the deep emotional and spiritual struggle he continues to face.

The Catholic Church in Saskatchewan has delayed and rejected calls to release internal records of abusive priests. This stance has drawn criticism from survivors and advocates who argue that transparency is essential for accountability and healing. Basaraba, who attended a non-residential school, was not part of the national survivors’ settlement program, which has left him without the same legal recourse as others.

Basaraba has been in legal proceedings against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert for eight years. He has not reached a settlement and no trial date has been set. His case highlights the ongoing challenges survivors face in seeking justice, particularly when institutional resistance persists. The legal battle underscores the broader issue of how the Catholic Church has historically handled allegations of abuse and the need for systemic change.

The situation has sparked broader discussions about the role of the Church in addressing historical and ongoing abuse. Advocates argue that releasing internal records is a critical step toward accountability and reconciliation. They emphasize that survivors deserve the truth and the opportunity to seek justice, regardless of the Church’s historical stance.

The call for transparency aligns with the biblical theme of protecting the vulnerable. Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the poor and needy. This principle resonates with the demands for accountability and justice from survivors of abuse, who seek to ensure that their voices are heard and their experiences acknowledged.

As the debate over transparency and accountability continues, the focus remains on the need for the Church to confront its past and take meaningful steps toward healing. The experiences of survivors like Basaraba serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of truth, justice, and compassion in addressing historical wrongs.

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