Antigonish diocese settles sex-abuse cases, closing painful chapter
October 31, 2012
The Diocese of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, will make the final payment in a settlement with sex-abuse victims this week, marking the end to a bleak period in the history of the Canadian diocese.
The $16-million settlement with victims of clerical abuse was negotiated in 2009 by then-Bishop Raymond Lahey. Shortly after reaching the agreement, Bishop Lahey was arrested on child-pornography charges; he would eventually be convicted and defrocked.
The terms of the abuse settlement forced the diocese to sell 150 properties and drained the funds of many Antigonish parishes, while the scandal that struck the Church had a devastating impact on Mass attendance.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Diocese of Antigonish wraps up sex abuse settlement (CTV)
- Canadian bishop laicized after child-porn conviction (CWN, 5/16)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
