Bishop Lahey seeks laicization after child-porn sentencing

January 09, 2012

Archbishop Martin Currie of St. John’s, Newfoundland, has written to the Catholics of the region, revealing that Bishop Raymond Lahey is seeking to be laicized after his conviction on child-pornography charges.

"Let us draw whatever good we can from this event,” said Archbishop Currie. Noting that the habitual use of pornography is “an all-too-common obsession and addiction,” he urged all Catholics to take a stand “against all that harms or degrades human beings.”

Archbishop Currie sought to reassure people that the St. John’s archdiocese “is committed to establishing safe and supportive communities” for all vulnerable people, an screening all those who work for the Church.

The archbishop disclosed that Bishop Lahey--who had served in Newfoundland before his 2003 appointment as Bishop of Antigonish--has petitioned the Vatican for laicization. Bishop Lahey resigned from episcopal office in 2009 after being arrested on child-porn charges. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced last week to a 15-month prison term.

 

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Further information:

• Archbishop writes parishioners about Lahey case (CBC)
• Canadian bishop sentenced to 15 months on child-porn charge (CWN, 1/4)