SYDNEY, N.S. - A Roman Catholic priest who was under investigation at a drug rehabilitation centre where he worked in Cape Breton says he is relieved that police have dropped the case.
Father Paul Abbass says in a statement Tuesday he was told by the police that they had concluded the investigation and will not be laying any criminal charges.
He says he was "pleased and relieved" that the matter involving his work as executive director at Talbot House has been resolved, adding that it had been an intensely difficult time for him.
But Abbass says he is disappointed with the way the Department of Community Services was handling a review of the facility, which has since closed, but he didn't elaborate.
The department said in February that it was looking at everything from financial oversight practices, programs and board management.
The review and police probe began after someone filed a complaint against Abbass, but Talbot House offered no details on the nature of the complaint.
On Monday, Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse said the complaint was based on how Talbot House was run.
Peterson-Rafuse said the $420,000 in provincial funding for Talbot House wasn't cut, but was discontinued when the board of directors told the department on March 7 that it was closing during the review.
She said that doesn't mean funding won't be restored, but the board now has to meet with the department to discuss whether it can meet the organizational requirements set out in the review.
Abbass said Talbot House had a "profound impact" on those who lived and worked there.
"Obviously, I remain saddened by the closure of Talbot House and recognize that so many others have suffered due to this closure," he added.
Abbass said he is looking forward to returning to his duties with the church after taking some personal time off.
"This has been an intensely difficult and challenging period in my life; however, it has also been a time of tremendous support and care offered by family, friends, parishioners, Bishop (Brian) Dunn, the priests of the diocese, the Talbot House Community and many others," he said.
