PRESS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Clare, Nova Scotia, December 12, 2024 - The Société Héritage Saint-Bernard and Nation Prospère Acadie inform the public that the Catholic Diocese of Halifax- Yarmouth has filed a notice of lawsuit against them. The Archdiocese is seeking full repayment of the $200,000 debt related to the purchase of the former Saint-Bernard Church, plus interest and legal fees associated with the lawsuit.
This action comes despite numerous efforts by the two Acadian heritage charities to renegotiate their funding agreement with the diocese. A first payment of $50,000 was made to the diocese in July 2023 in connection with the purchase of the building, while a second payment of $50,000 plus interest was to be delivered at the end of August 2024, after the close of the Congrès Mondial Acadien.
Since acquiring this iconic heritage building in July 2023, the two organizations have worked tirelessly to preserve this historic edifice, built between 1910 and 1942 thanks to a generation of dedicated Acadians.
“Our fundraising campaign did not raise the full $250,000 requested by the diocese for the purchase of the property,” laments Jean Le Blanc, president of the Société Héritage Saint-Bernard. “The approximately $40,000 in funds raised were all used to make urgent repairs to the roof, meet fire marshal standards and restore the public water and toilet system. After years of neglect, the most important thing was to get the building back in shape so we could open for the community and the Congrès Mondial Acadien,” he says.
At a meeting with Archbishop Dunn last May, he was presented with an update on financing efforts, as well as a request to renegotiate the $200,000 debt. The decision and request were then redirected to the Notre-Dame-d'Acadie parish, the future recipient of the funds to be received.
Despite a letter sent to the parish committee in June and a second one addressed to Archbishop Dunn on August 4, 2024, this meeting never took place. Both organizations requested a deferral of payment in order to continue fundraising efforts and feasibility studies.
News of the lawsuit notice reached them last week. The Société Héritage Saint-Bernard and Nation Prospère deeply regret this outcome and fear that the former Saint-Bernard church will soon be sold or demolished. They intend to defend the case. “While France has just celebrated the resurrection of Notre-Dame de Paris, Canada is preparing to destroy some of Acadia's most famous architectural monuments. After the resounding success of the last Congrès Mondial Acadien, Nova Scotia's Acadian community is about to lose the magnificent Sainte-Marie church at la Pointe-de-l'église and possibly Saint-Bernard as well,” points out Daniel LeBlanc, Executive Director of Nation Prospère.
The final fate of Saint-Bernard will be determined in the coming months. The two Acadian organizations intend to increase pressure on the parish and diocese to return to the negotiating table.
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About Saint-Bernard Church:
A symbol of the history and resilience of the Acadian people, this architectural masterpiece, the fruit of 32 years' work, is an exceptional testimony to Acadian ingenuity and faith. Construction of the building began in 1910 with Father Édouard LeBlanc, who became the first Acadian bishop, and was completed in 1942. It is one of the largest granite stone buildings in Atlantic Canada.
About Société Héritage Saint-Bernard:
The organization was created by parishioners in 2001 to safeguard and enhance the former Saint-Bernard church, raise funds and preserve the building as a community and cultural center for the Baie-Sainte-Marie communities.
About Nation Prospère Acadie: The organization was created in 2018 with the aim of playing a leading role in the promotion of the French language, the protection of Acadian heritage and the full development of the Acadian people. Recently, Nation Prospère led the project to nominate Joseph Beausoleil Broussard and elevate this Acadian hero to the status of national historic figure.
For further information or interviews:
Jean Le Blanc, President, Société Héritage Saint-Bernard
Tel: (902) 841-0148 E-mail: heritagesaintbernard@gmail.com
Daniel LeBlanc, General Manager, Nation Prospère Acadie
E-mail: daniel.leblanc@nationprospere.ca
