Vatican, Canadian bishops react to Bishop Lahey’s child-porn plea
CWN - May 05, 2011
The Holy See Press Office has issued a statement in response to the trial of Bishop Raymond Lahey. The Canadian bishop pled guilty to possession of child pornography and faces a sentence of at least one year in prison.
“The Catholic Church condemns sexual exploitation in all its forms, especially when perpetrated against minors,” the statement noted. “The Holy See will continue to follow the canonical procedures in effect for such cases, which will result in the imposition of the appropriate disciplinary or penal measures.”
“The Most Reverend Raymond Lahey, former Bishop of Antigonish, has pled guilty to possession of child pornography,” the Canadian bishops said in a statement. “The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops condemns all forms of sexual exploitation, especially involving minors, and continues to work to prevent such behaviour and to bring healing to the victims and their families.”
The bishops added:
Recognizing the confusion and anger that this case has engendered among many of the faithful, we underscore our pastoral concern for those who have experienced great pain as a result of these events. In a special way our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Diocese of Antigonish and all the Atlantic region.
We reiterate the Catholic Church’s long-standing condemnation of the possession, distribution and use of child pornographic images in all forms, and renew our resolve to do everything we can to promote the dignity and respect of the human person.
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Posted by: filioque -
May. 06, 2011 3:44 PM ET USA
Apparently these good folk are upset because the Church no longer turns malefactors over to civil authorities to be burned at the stake.
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Posted by: John3822 -
May. 06, 2011 9:48 AM ET USA
Ummm... the bishop has already resigned and his resignation was quickly accepted in 2009. What are folks here complaining about?
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Posted by: edwillneff3195 -
May. 05, 2011 11:15 PM ET USA
What a pathetic weasly response. The bishops sound like a John Edwards trying to finess, look good, and say nothing. Do they say this bishop should immediately resign; that he should go to jail; that the Vatican should begin proceedings to defrock him? (And Bishop Lahey has ADMITTED guilt!!) The biships Merely say that child porn is terrible. Wow. That's really going out on a limb. These bishops are beneath contempt if this article represents what they've stated. I'm disgusted. But not surprised
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Posted by: jimgrum697380 -
May. 05, 2011 11:05 PM ET USA
When will these stories end? How many more are coming down the pike? How many dioceses are going broke as a result? Why do my non-Catholic (and some Catholic) acquaintances make distasteful comments and laugh when I tell them my son has expressed interest in the priesthood? Why is Pope Benedict so underrated? What will the history books say one hundred years from now?
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Posted by: Steve214 -
May. 05, 2011 6:56 PM ET USA
Does the Church have to wait until the GOVERNMENT takes action? Or did he initially lie to the Church, rather than admit his wrong doing?
