CLC is excited to announce the launch of a new CLC chapter in St. Catharines Diocese!

The CLC of Niagara/Haldimand began in January, 2019, when one of our members met a victim/survivor of clergy sexual abuse standing vigil at St. Kevin’s church in Welland. His aim, he said, was “to make sure that what happened to me never happens to anyone else.” Prompted by this encounter, a committee was formed to tackle the issue of abuse at the diocesan level. Meetings with the bishop and with interested laypeople followed. CLC Niagara-Haldimand is interested in connecting with survivors of clergy sexual abuse who live in St. Catharines diocese for purposes of support and healing. Your privacy will be respected. As we go forward, we are looking for concerned lay Catholics who want to see the abuse issue handled in a transparent and accountable manner; those who want in some small way to reach out to victim/survivors to let them know they aren’t forgotten. If you would like to join us in advocating for dialogue between clergy and laity in our diocese and in becoming better educated on issues facing the Church, please contact CLCNiagara.Haldimand@gmail.com.

The CLC Planning Group has been in dialogue with the Niagara/Haldimand group for almost a year. We found we shared many common concerns and hopes for our church. We hope and pray that this announcement marks the beginning of many other such groups forming and linking up across the country to bring the voice of the laity into the conversation. Want to know more about how to organize a group where you live? Please contact us through our website https://concernedlaycatholics.ca/add-your-voice or email us at concernedlaycatholics@gmail.com