A survivor of abuse by a well-known Catholic priest in Newfoundland is adding his voice to the growing demands for the church to disclose its records on priests sent away for treatment due to abusive behavior.
Known as John Doe, the man was a victim of Father George Ansel Smith, who abused him during the 1970s in western Newfoundland. Documents from court proceedings reveal that Smith underwent therapy at the Southdown Institute in Ontario in 1992, a facility that offers various services for priests dealing with mental health issues such as depression, alcoholism, and pedophilia.
Smith resumed his duties as a priest for almost two decades until John Doe and several other individuals came forward with allegations in 2011. John Doe emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that the church should reveal the truth hidden in file cabinets and rooms across parishes and dioceses to allow for closure and healing.
Following the recent revelation of letters exchanged between the former bishop of Grand Falls and the executive director of Southdown in 1970, highlighting concerns about a priest’s inappropriate behavior with boys, advocacy for disclosure of records has intensified. Gemma Hickey, a prominent advocate and survivor of clergy abuse, urged the church to open its records for independent review to shed light on priests sent for treatment, the recommendations provided by Southdown, and whether the church followed through on those recommendations.
Despite Smith’s conviction and sentencing to 11 years in prison in 2013, serving only a portion of that time before being released on parole, John Doe’s lawsuit against the Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador remains unresolved after nearly 13 years. He expressed frustration over the church’s reluctance to settle the case and shared his ongoing struggles with trauma, emphasizing the need for closure and peace through the disclosure of files on abusive priests.
The Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador has been approached for comment on these matters. John Doe emphasized the urgency for resolution and healing, urging the church to take responsibility and provide closure for survivors of abuse.