By Chris Shannon
Cape Breton Post
January 29, 2010
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=322448&sc=145
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| Newly installed Bishop Brian Dunn of the Diocese of Antigonish spoke with the Cape Breton Post, Thursday, on his first official trip to Cape Breton as bishop. Steve Wadden - Cape Breton Post |
‘And then I look at the Diocese of Antigonish — I see large legal settlements, money issues,’ Bishop Brian Dunn tells the Post
SYDNEY — Newly installed Bishop Brian Dunn of the Diocese of Antigonish was busy fielding questions from the media Thursday as he wound down his first official trip to Cape Breton as bishop.
Dunn, 55, originally from Buchans, N.L., left a position as an auxiliary bishop in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. after only one year to oversee the troubled Antigonish diocese.
It was a daunting task that even he wasn’t sure he wanted to take on, Dunn said in a sit-down interview with the Cape Breton Post.
He had doubts about accepting a new posting after spending only one year in Sault Ste. Marie.
“It seemed to me too early to leave,” Dunn said during an interview at his Sydney home.
“I didn’t think I had enough experience as a bishop, I didn’t have what it would take. And then I look at the Diocese of Antigonish — I see large legal settlements, money issues. All of those are kind of totally new experiences for me.”
He was approached by the diocese in late September to take over from Bishop Raymond Lahey, who had resigned his post and was subsequently charged with child pornography offences. Lahey’s case is still before the courts.
Dunn has been briefed on some parts of the estimated $18.5-million settlement agreement reached last August between the diocese and a class action launched by Sydney resident Ron Martin to compensate victims of sexual abuse from 1950 to the present.
Despite several people who have opted out of the agreement to pursue their own claims, the diocese has decided to continue working toward compensating abuse victims.
Dunn admitted he isn’t yet aware of all issues surrounding the historic agreement, but said it’s important to continue the process to heal past wrongs in the church.
He said he believes Catholic Church wisely chose to see the process through to the end.
“This is a very good way to help people be healed quickly.”
So far, Dunn hasn’t been able to speak with Martin in person. A service of reconciliation, which has been favoured by Martin, is still a concept, Dunn said.
Parishes across the diocese will have to hand over assets accumulated up until Feb. 28, 2009, and all church lands, unoccupied homes and associated church buildings, including halls that are not considered core assets to the operation of the parish. Parishes will be permitted to keep $10,000 in cash for operating expenses.
The bishop, who was installed during an elaborate ceremony in Antigonish on Monday, said it’ll take some time to know exactly how parishioners are feeling about the financial decisions made by the diocese.
“There seems to be a sense of acceptance, a sense of, ‘We have to do it,’ and so that’s an obligation that we have. But once I get around to people, to different areas, I may have a better perspective on how people are really responding,” he said.
Contact: cshannon@cbpost.com
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