Disgraced Bishop Checks in with NB RCMP, Kris Mcdavid, Times Transcript, October 8, 2009

Disgraced Bishop Checks in with N.B. RCMP

By Kris Mcdavid
Times & Transcript
October 8, 2009

http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/news/article/817559

Former bishop Raymond Lahey appeared at the RCMP station in Rogersville yesterday.

Ottawa police 'have no idea' where Raymond Lahey has been this past week

ROGERSVILLE - Although former Nova Scotia Roman Catholic bishop Raymond Lahey is looking to make Ottawa his permanent address while he awaits a November court date to face child pornography charges, he was back in Rogersville yesterday to check in with the local RCMP detachment.

Or maybe he never left.

Neither the investigating Ottawa Police Service nor District 5 RCMP will confirm exactly where Lahey has been residing since turning himself in to police in the nation's capital a week ago.

Lahey was later released on $9,000 bail and was expected to stay at the Cistercian Trappist Monastery of Our Lady of the Calvary on the outskirts of Rogersville, with the monastery's address serving as his official contact location, according to the criminal court offices in Ottawa. But the monastery's abbot, Bede Stockill, has repeatedly said that he hasn't seen or heard from the former bishop since Lahey attended mass there on Sept. 29.

As part of the conditions of his release, Lahey was required to report to the Rogersville RCMP detachment twice a week, with spokesman Sgt. Jeff Johnston confirming that Lahey arrived as promised yesterday.

Ottawa Police Service spokesman Const. Jean-Paul Vincelette said either Lahey or his attorney John Edelman is expected to make a court appearance this morning to apply for a change of address.

Vincelette said police will not be investigating Lahey for breaching a court order in light of Stockill's claims that Lahey never reported as planned and elected not to elaborate why.

Cpl. John Letourneau of the Rogersville detachment has said he wouldn't be giving any updates about where Lahey has been these past seven days.

Meanwhile, Vincelette wouldn't share where Lahey has been residing since being charged either.

"I have no idea, no," said Vincelette.

Lahey's laptop computer was seized by border agents at Ottawa International Airport on Sept. 15, with a subsequent forensic investigation allegedly uncovering child pornography.

The former bishop has been charged with possession and importation of child pornography.

Johnston said he doesn't expect Lahey will be back in Rogersville anytime soon.

"As far as we're concerned that was the only time he had to report," said Johnston. "I believe he's heading out (to Ottawa) now."

Lahey resigned as bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish on Sept. 26, one day after the charges were filed.