By Aaron Beswick and Michael Gorman
The Chronicle-Herald
May 5, 2011
http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1241719.html
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| Raymond Lahey, right, arrives at the courthouse in Ottawa with lawyer Michael Edelson, left, on Wednesday. |
A spokesman for the Diocese of Antigonish declined to comment Wednesday on its former leader's guilty plea to a charge of importing child pornography.
But a news release issued later in the day by the diocese said Bishop Brian Dunn "will give a statement concerning the court proceeding involving" Bishop Raymond Lahey during a press conference today at 2 p.m. at St. Ninian Place in Antigonish.
"The diocese will not be conducting any interview prior to the newst conference. Thank you for your co-operation," the release said.
Lahey, 70, stepped down as the bishop of Antigonish shortly after he was arrested in September 2009 and charged with importing child pornography and possession of child pornography for the purpose of distribution. He pleaded guilty to the importing child pornography charge during an appearance Wednesday morning in an Ottawa courtroom.
Lahey's guilty plea didn't faze one of his former parishioners.
"He may be a bishop but he's still a man and any man can fail," said Kevin March, a lifelong Roman Catholic who acts as caretaker for St. Mary's Church in Maryvale.The charges laid against Lahey didn't affect attendance at the church when they were laid and March said he didn't expect the guilty plea to affect it either. Some news reports immediately after the charges were laid estimated attendance at St. Ninian's Cathedral in Antigonish dropped by 25 per cent.
"My faith is not affected by the actions of a few people in this world," said March. "Not even one bit."
Less than a month before his arrest, Lahey reached a $15 million settlement of a class action launched by victims who were sexually abused by local priests.
In an effort to raise funds for the settlement, the dioceses started selling properties throughout the seven counties it serves. The church is also selling its 62-per cent share in the Antigonish Casket newspaper.
During a February interview with The Chronicle Herald, Rev. Paul Abbass said the diocese had sold about $2 million worth of properties. At the time Abbass said properties used by the community, such as parish halls, would only be sold as a last resort.
In response to the sexual abuse perpetrated by priests, the diocese released its Protocol For Responsible Ministry in October 2010.
The protocol is a set of rules governing interaction between church staff and volunteers and its parishioners. It includes one rule that forbids any church representative from being alone with young people and vulnerable adults.
"With the co-operation of each parish to implement the protocol and to oversee its management, the diocese as a whole will strive to promote accountability, trust and care in our ministries," Dunn said at the time the protocol was released.
Contact:mgorman@herald.ca, abeswick@herald.ca
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