Bishop Raymond Lahey flees after porn charges
p2pnet news view | Crime:- Nova Scotia Roman Catholic bishop Raymond Lahey (right), well known for, “having orchestrated a high-profile apology and $15-million, out-of-court settlement to victims who were sexually abused as children,” is now wanted on child pornography charges, say reports.
Lahey, 69, who “stepped down abruptly on Saturday as the bishop of Antigonish in Nova Scotia, was charged Friday with one count of possession and one count of importation of child pornography,” said the Cape Breton Post, going on:
“An arrest warrant has been issued for Lahey, whose whereabouts were unknown to both police and to his colleagues and fellow clergy in Nova Scotia, on Wednesday.”
But Ottawa police two-day say there are “developments”.
“Mr. Lahey is not in custody yet,” the Canwest News Service has detective Dan Melchiorre, lead investigator on the case and a member of the Ottawa Police High Tech Crimes Unit, saying, going on, “We anticipate we’ll have an answer (on Lahey’s custody) some time either later this morning or early this afternoon.”
The charges stem from a routine search of his laptop at the Ottawa airport on September 15 when he was returning from a trip abroad.
Says Lahey’s resignation letter, published in the Cape Breton Post »»»
My dear priests, deacons, religious and parishioners,
I want to let you know that after much thought and careful consideration, I decided to submit to the Holy Father my resignation as Bishop for personal reasons. I have now received word that the Holy Father has accepted my resignation and has made a formal announcement in Rome this weekend.
I recognize that my resignation takes place at a time when the Diocese is facing a variety of demanding challenges. While I will no longer be with you on this journey, I am confident that your faith and compassion will continue to sustain you as they have always done.
The Holy Father has appointed the Archbishop of Halifax, Anthony Mancini, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese. I am sure that he and all those who faithfully serve you in diocesan leadership as well as in you parishes priests, deacons, religious and laity alike will have your cooperation.
To so many of you I would want to say a personal word of farewell and thanks. However, I have already left the Diocese to take some much-needed time for personal renewal. I simply ask for your prayers, as I assure you of my continued prayers for all of you.
Yours sincerely in the Lord …
Stay tuned
Cape Breton Post – Catholic bishop to step down in Antigonish, N.S., September 27, 2009
Canwest News Service – Police expect break in search for fugitive bishop, October 1, 2009
Cape Breton Post – Resignation letter from Bishop Lahey, September 27, 2009
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October 1st, 2009 at 4:42 pm
” unknown to both police and to his colleagues and fellow clergy in Nova Scotia ”
Bullshit.
His colleagues know exactly where he is.
They are the same in Canada as they are in the US.
They move them around and hide them here. I’m sure the
canadian branch works just as hard to hide their miscreants as well.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I’m kinda surprised to see the Catholic Church still exists in Cape Breton, considering it was never a popular “institution” there.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Mr. Lahey can now join the ranks of many religious before him at Southdown. Or do you think he’s too old to change his ways? What is it about kiddie porn that makes it so attractive to priests?
October 1st, 2009 at 10:47 pm
” Mr. Lahey can now join the ranks of many religious before him at Southdown. Or do you think heâs too old to change his ways? What is it about kiddie porn that makes it so attractive to priests? ”
I think it’s the other way around.
Easy access to kids, and an assumption of trust ( being men of ‘god’ )
makes an attractive occupation for pedophiles. Add to that the fact
that your employers would rather hide you than fire you is a big
bonus.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:48 pm
He’s turned himself in to Police in Ottawa, now; I think he wanted to have some time with his lawyer first.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:15 am
Hey Guys , wait until Bishop Lahey at least has answered fot eh accused assumptions before you condemn,That’s why we have a democratic system , how about your own family do you want to have the checked out or hit them now . smarten up and show some respect until it ’s official at least
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:25 am
I think you are jumping to conclusions. I don’t hear any condemnation in the above; only trying to understand how a 69-year-old man can get off on kiddie porn. Isn’t he supposed to be writing his memoirs, for God’s sake, instead of finding pleasure in seeing God’s children being exploited?.
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:48 pm
“…trying to understand how a 69-year-old man can get off on kiddie porn.”
You have to be living in some kind of bubble.
There’s lots of “active” pedophiles older than that.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:58 pm
why is it the priesthood attracts such deviants.im a firm believer in god and catholic yet i cant bring myself to go to church,i remember in high school a priest grabbing a classmates behind as she was writing on the chalkboard.still haunts me,recently we attended mass for the first time in 15yrs for my kids school and the priest attending was ignorent,self centred and actually yelled at a woman that didnt agree with him,the catholic church is big business and im sure having to sell off real estate to pay for all the lawsuits hasnt helped,
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:46 pm
I am from Lahey’s district and am ashamed to adnit that I am cathlic. The whole cathlic church is. or should take respondibility for this great injustice to our youth. The leadership of the church knew{ al be it some say it slipped their minds thatLahey was involved in child porn previously] in New foundland. Then in thier wisdom they put him in charge of our church. thanks for that. The people in charge should be held accountable for putting such a person in a position of power and trust, god help you all, I know you will need it althought I’m not sure you deserve it. Get you’re act together and put all the petiphiles where they belong. in jail. not in the confessional, no wonder I only made to confessions in my life{ I’m 49]]] perhaps I’m not hte one who should be confessing
October 11th, 2009 at 2:04 am
If every man in this country should have his laptop checked, what a surprise we would have. >Bishop Lahey has just been badlucky to meet such a curious custom lady officer.
October 21st, 2009 at 3:47 pm
There is nothing about kiddie porn that is attractive to healthy, normal priests. However, within the ranks of priests as well as ministers of others denominations and religions, Boy Scout personnel, teachers, day care center workers, orphanage employees and other groups too numerous to mention there are INDIVIDUALS who are pedophiles. It should be pointed out that this is a sickness. To assume ALL priests or ALL members of ANY group that work with young people or who have access to them are all pedophiles is wrong and baseless. Pedophiles have become pediatricians, ministers, police officers, judges and members of every profession. Obviously professions that would allow special access to children seem to beckon pedophiles like a bright light attracts moths. That simple fact should not surprize anyone.