By Nick Logan
Global Winnipeg
May 5, 2011
http://www.globalwinnipeg.com/Antigonish+bishop+apologizes+Roman+Catholics+Raymond+Lahey+child+porn+scandal/4734584/story.html
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| Bishop Brian Dunn tells the Antigonish, N.S. Roman Catholic diocese Raymond Lahey may have to deal with the Vatican after his finishes his sentence for importing child porn. |
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - The man who stepped into to replace Raymond Lahey as Bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish spoke out Thursday about the effect the child porn scandal has had on the church and its parishioners.
"Today I would like to express my solidarity with those who are hurting and I promise that I will continue to work toward healing," Bishop Brian Dunn said at an afternoon news conference.
He issued a formal apology to the Roman Catholic congregation and suggested there may be an "ecclesiastical trial" to deal with Lahey's crime.
But, he said, that's in the Vatican's hands to consider once Lahey has served his sentence.
The 70-year-old pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of importing child pornography and is now sitting behind bars: He asked the court to revoke his bail so he could begin his time in jail immediately.
The court will set a date for his sentencing on May 26.
The admission of guilt and the newly released details about what police discovered during their investigation re-opened a deep wound in Antigonish, one that Lahey had been praised for mending.
Lahey, in August 2009, helped broker a landmark $15 million settlement for victims of sexual abuse by six priests in the diocese during the 1950s and 60s.
He negotiated that deal and issued a public apology a little more than a month before border officials at Ottawa International Airport searched his laptop and discovered 588 images, 33 videos and several stories of young boys engaged in sexual acts.
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