BishopAccountability.org
	Explanation Needed The Cape Breton Post September 29, 2009 http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=290161&sc=151 The resignation Bishop Raymond Lahey of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish comes at a time of significant challenges for Catholics across Cape Breton. Saturday, Lahey resigned less than two months after he agreed to a $13-million abuse settlement with alleged abuse victims. Lahey, 69, was ordained Bishop of St. George’s, N.L., in 1986 and transferred to the Diocese of Antigonish in 2003. Anthony Mancini, archbishop of Halifax, has since been appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Antigonish by Pope Benedict XVI following Lahey’s resignation. Mancini will serve in a leadership role for the diocese until a replacement bishop is found. Mancini has chosen Fr. Paul Abbass of St. Mary’s Parish in Frenchvale as local spokesperson for the diocese. With Lahey’s departure, the $13-million abuse settlement and declining congregations in a region facing economic hardships, leadership of the Roman Catholic Church in eastern Nova Scotia is being put to the test. From the get-go, it was a difficult test for the bishop and other current leaders within the Diocese of Antigonish, and a challenge for parishioners as well, because failed leadership within the hierarchy of the church over the years is responsible in no small part for abusive priests being able to operate for too long with relative impunity and in secrecy. Lahey must be commended for his insight and leadership when he asked Catholics to embrace the victims and accept that money is a necessary part of justice in this matter. That sets him apart from his predecessor, Colin Campbell, who was seen by many as unsympathetic to the victims of sexual assault and representative of the defensive posture of the church which was part of the culture that enabled abusers to flourish. This was the right thing to do. However, Lahey also has another responsibility to the Catholics of Antigonish. The Vatican announcement said the Holy Father accepted Lahey’s resignation in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law. The code states: “A diocesan bishop who has become less able to fulfill his office because of ill health or some other grave cause is earnestly requested to present his resignation from office.” Lahey must explain why he resigned because the general public, parishioners and even clergy are forming critical opinions without knowing the facts. There’s no question that Lahey was in a stressful situation and has set the stage in terms of the abuse settlement, but an explanation why he stepped down will silence critics, many of them from his own flock. The next Good Shepherd has a tall order to fill. On the agenda will be closing and merging churches, the $13-million settlement, declining parishioners and managing priests who also must understand what’s happening at the grassroots level.
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