Leona Huggins, Vice President, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

By Adam Berls

diocese sexual assault lawsuits

‘Silence protects systems’: Survivor of clergy sexual abuse says it’s incredibly daunting to take action against the Catholic Church

Mar 12, 2026 | 4:01 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — When Leona Huggins was just twelve years, she was sexually abused by a priest. The priest who harmed her served a 10-month sentence and was later reassigned to ministry. Leona now supports survivors through her work at a Vancouver law firm and was the sole Canadian survivor invited to advise the planning committee for the late Pope Francis’ summit on the protection of minors in the Church. Huggins is still helping others who have been abused, founding a peer support group for clergy abuse survivors and continues to speak out to create an environment that will encourage not only those who have been harmed but also witnesses and whistleblowers to come forward.

For years, Huggins has volunteered with the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, or SNAP. She has been motivated to help others, after being sexually abused herself, and says that the plaintiffs who have filed civil claims against the Diocese of Prince George claiming sexual abuse, and re-living painful memories, is not an easy thing to do.

“It’s really hard to stand up to, an institution that is as powerful in people’s lives as the Catholic Church. It’s it’s not only a spiritual home for many, it’s a cultural home for many as well. There they there’s a belonging to that faith community. There’s you went to school there. Those are your people, and to say that one of the people who was greatly admired within your community, has harmed you is really hard.” – Leona Huggins

Huggins courage in reporting the abuse she endured as an adolescent brought the successful criminal conviction of Fr. Jack McCann, a highly respected priest, in the early 1990s. However, she says that church leadership hasn’t done enough to protect people.

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“Despite all the things church leadership says, they haven’t really done the groundwork of figuring out the depth, the magnitude of this problem. Accountability strengthens communities. That’s what you deserve in Prince George, you deserve a community that is what the church says it is. Accountability strengthens communities and silence protects systems.” – Leona Huggins

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Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com