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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Chaplains intimidated others: priest

By: Carol Sanders

25/11/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 4

THE priest in charge of the chaplains at St. Boniface General Hospital says one of his employees was nicknamed "Attila the Nun" and another lost his temper after not getting his $10 stipend for saying mass.Father Gerry Ward, the spiritual care director at the hospital, made the remarks while testifying Tuesday at an arbitration hearing over a grievance alleging he bullied, harassed and verbally abused three of the hospital chaplains.

Fr. Roland Lanoie, Sister Jeannine Corbeil and Rev. Carlyle Murrell-Cole say when they complained, they were branded troublemakers and had their careers threatened. They are members of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals.

Corbeil testified earlier that Ward played favourites, courted gossip and caused a rift among the chaplains.

She said he yelled at her in front of the other chaplains before prayers one day when she asked a fellow chaplain a question. She said he told her later in private that her size and anger intimidated patients and the priest she had been speaking to earlier.

Ward denied he ever made comments about Corbeil's size, but told her she intimidated the other chaplains and that they called her "Attila the Nun" behind her back.

When Corbeil said she wanted to discuss the name calling at a staff meeting, Ward said he refused. "I said it would be like murder for you," said Ward. "... She'd be placing herself out on a limb."

The hearing began in May and will continue through December.

Ward said he suggested Corbeil seek counselling for her anger.

He said another of his accusers was also intimidating members of the spiritual care staff. Ward said Lanoie was rude to the department's administrative assistant, Claire David, when she forgot to email him the work schedule for the week. He said Lanoie was rude to the assistant again when she told him there would be no $10 stipend for a mass that he had done.

"His demeanour was just a little bit over the top for $10," said Ward.

The hearing continues today.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 25, 2009 A8

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4 Comments

Posted by: visitor

November 29, 2009 at 12:26 AM

This is my response to J who says she/he fails to see the need to publish this article. This does not strike me as the response of someone who thinks clearly and objectively in an effort to get to the truth of things. J, you may bury your head in the sand if it feels more comfortable there. It is my opinion however, that the Free Press is doing the right thing by publishing the article.

Making public the disgraceful goings on at SBGH raises the public's awareness of the Hospital's willingness to tolerate bullying by managers. Hopefully it will also challenge (or shame) the Hospital into examining its hiring practices.

Publication also helps others who are bullied or harassed in their own workplace to know that they are not alone, and that steps can be taken to redress the wrong that is being done to them. When a Union decides to file a grievance on behalf of an employee, you may be sure that it is not done lightly and that all the necessary steps to resolve the situation have already been taken, to no avail.

In the case of St. Boniface Hospital, one excellent chaplain found employment at another facility, while the other took early retirement. Going through a grievance process is not easy. Congratulations to the three chaplains who are risking much in their fight for justice. May the outcome be in their favor and may other Administrations and managers take heed! Congratulations also, to the Free Press for its service to the public. As for you, J, think and learn.

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Posted by: Maggiejoy

November 25, 2009 at 8:03 PM

The reason this is not surprising news to people is because harassment and badgering goes on all the time in workplaces and it is ignored. While the Manager in this case sounds like a bit of jerk to work for, the real blame lies at the feet of the WRHA. They have all kind of written policies against harassment, but it occurs everyday in all of their facilities. I feel sorry for good people who work for this organization but aren't free from intimidation and fear at work.