Arrest warrant issued for former Bishop
By Brian Lazzuri editor@thcasket.ca
Pope Benedict XVI accepted Bishop Raymond Lahey's resignation Sept. 26.
Archbishop Anthony Mancini’s job became more daunting when he learned Bishop Raymond Lahey has been charged with possession of child pornography and importation of child pornography. Saturday, Sept. 26, Halifax Archbishop Anthony Mancini was named Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Antigonish following the resignation of Bishop Lahey. Wednesday Archbishop Mancini learned Ottawa Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) had laid the charges Sept. 25. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Bishop Lahey. “I am shocked and saddened by this devastating news,” Archbishop Mancini said in press release issued Wednesday evening. “For the priests and people of Antigonish Diocese, this is a terrible moment.” Lahey was re-entering Canada at Ottawa International Airport Sept. 15 when he was referred to a second examination during which images of concern were discovered on his laptop computer. The Canadian Border Services Agency seized the laptop and other media devices. Bishop Lahey was released pending investigation. The forensic examination revealed child pornography. President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop V. James Weisgerber was “shocked and saddened by the accusations.” “As President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, I am not in a position to comment on them,” Archbishop Weisgerber said in a news release. “At the same time, I share with all Canadians, and particularly my Catholic brothers and sisters, a profound understanding of the importance of such serious charges being fully and carefully investigated by the appropriate legal authorities.” Archbishop Mancini will travel to Sydney on Thursday to meet with the priests of the Diocese. A press conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. The Archbishop said he, the priests and the people “will face this matter together. I trust that we will find the courage and the capacity to move forward." The Ottawa Police and CBSA investigation continues. Anyone who has information regarding this file are asked to call the Ottawa Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit at (613)236-1222, ext. 5640. This is the 3rd child pornography seizure made by CBSA Officers at MacDonald-Cartier International Airport this year. >> Return to articles main
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