A Catholic priest who heads an addictions treatment centre for adult men in the Sydney area has stepped down after a complaint was filed against him.
Father Paul Abbass has served as the executive director of Talbot House for 17 years but he has agreed to a leave of absence from his duties until a review into the matter is complete.
Officials at Talbot House say the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services made them aware of the complaint against Abbass.
"It is an unfortunate and challenging situation for all involved," said Talbot House board chair Dr. John Gainer in a statement released Thursday. "The health and welfare of the residents is a primary concern for the Board. We ask that the privacy of current residents be respected. "
Talbot House is currently home to 14 residents. The recovery and rehabilitation centre formed in 1959 and receives financial support from private donations and the Province of Nova Scotia through the Department of Community Services.
There has been little information released about the nature of the complaint, but officials say it is workplace-related.
Abbass has also taken a leave of absence from parish responsibilities and duties with the Diocese of Antigonish pending the outcome of the investigation.
Bishop Brian Dunn says the Diocese of Antigonish, which serves 129,000 Catholics in eastern Nova Scotia, will co-operate with the investigation and review initiated by Talbot House.
"In doing so, we will act with the welfare of everyone involved in mind," said Dunn. "For the complainant, that means being listened to and having their allegations investigated thoroughly. For parishioners, that means keeping them informed and providing avenues for discussion and dialogue. For Father Abbass, it means a fair, timely and thorough investigation to find the truth."
Dunn also acknowledged that any complaint needs to be taken seriously whether it occurs in a workplace or pastoral setting.
"It is always difficult to hear about complaints against priests, but we must encourage that complaints be investigated thoroughly and that the truth be determined," he added.
He said he has appointed other priests to take over Abbass' parish responsibilities.
