BishopAccountability.org
	Rick's Rants Friday Oct 2nd/09 By Rick Howe Halifax News Net October 2, 2009 http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/index.cfm?sid=291650&sc=612 It must have been a humiliating experience for the man. A blank expression on his face throughout, ex-Antigonish bishop Raymond Lahey walked through a throng of reporters yesterday and turned himself in to Ottawa police. He was handcuffed, fingerprinted, photographed, informed of the charges against him and held in a cell until bail was granted, He gets no sympathy from this corner. He has only himself to blame for his predicament. Lahey faces child pornography charges and will be in court November 4th. In the meantime, he's been shuffled off to a monastery in Rogersville, New Brunswick, away from prying eyes and inquisitive reporters. Will the church pay for his defence? Should it? No one connected with the Roman Catholic church is willing yet to answer that question. I would suspect many Catholics might be more than a little upset if the church does decide to cover his legal costs. One of the victims of the Mount Cashel orphanage scandal wonders if investigators in Newfoundland dropped the ball after his allegations about Raymond Lahey. Shane Earle told the inquiry into abuse by priests at the orphanage in 1989 he saw child pornography at Lahey's residence. It seems no one got around to checking up on his claims. HRM's next big heritage fight could focus around plans for a new World Trade Centre on the site of the old Herald building on Argyle. Heritage groups are worried a proposed office tower and hotel could end up obstructing the view from Citadel Hill. There's a segment of our population however who don't think much of the viewplane protection and ridicule those who fight to preserve it. I expect most have never stood on Citadel Hill and looked out over the harbour. It's a maginificent sight, something the tourists seem to appreciate. So good for Infrastructure Minister Bill Estabrooks to make assurances yesterday the convention centre will not block the protected views. Developer Joe Ramia was given the nod yesterday to come up with a detailed plan for the new convention centre. It won't however include the performing arts centre Mayor Kelly was hoping for. Such a facilty might be better suited somewhere along the waterfront anyway. Supporters of the Dartmouth Heritage Museum have been taking me to task lately over my desire to see a museum of history built in Halifax. The Dartmouth museum operates out of Evergreen House but it's not nearly large enough to handle most of their artificats. I'm told there are some 45,000 artifacts stored in boxes. They plan to pitch council in the coming weeks to permit a move to the old Dartmouth city hall. My reference to a Museum of Halifax History has touched a nerve with these folks who insist it must remain the Dartmouth Heritage Museum. I appreciate their zeal but I still think the current Spring Garden Road library is the best potential site for a museum displaying our rich history and that it be called the Museum of Halifax History. I am glad however to see there's finally some discussion taking place about the possibility of a history museum. Another small crowd at last night's Mooseheads game. Just about 4400 on hand to watch the Moose lose again, making it 7 straight losses now to start the season. With a three game road trip starting Saturday, Halifax could very well return home 0 and 10. That won't go over well with fans who have supported this team since its inception, but who are growing weary at the lack of a Q league championship. This team will have to be competitive if it wants to see lots of bums in the Metro Centre's seats this year. Should the losses continue to pile up, and the seats stay empty, how long before owner Bobby Smith decides its time to shake things up. This could be a key weekend for the future of coach Cam Russell. Have a great weekend. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.