Episcopal scandal

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I’m still in Ireland – family from Canada with me for another two days and then I’ll stay here for about two more weeks to clear out my brother’s home and take care of paper work.

I was told about the charges against Bishop Raymond Lahey.  I was not surprised.  I am thankful that people were on their toes at the Ottawa airport.  Beyond that I can only say that I hope and pray this makes its way to trial and I also hope and pray that between now and then we aren’t inundated with a multitude of variations of the old chestnut that someone put those dirty pictures on the poor man’s laptop when he wasn’t looking.  Whatever the case, rest assured that the episcopal wagons are being circled, tongues are wagging and phonelines are burning.

Does anyone know where Lahey was in the United States England?

Does anyone know who he was going to visit in Ottawa?

And any word on who he has retained to defend him?

I do wish I was home with access to my files.  I recall quite vividly being floored and intrigued to discover some years back that Bishop Lahey, then Bishop of St. George’s Diocese in Newfoundland, was dispatching his priests off to the Oblate facility in Arnprior, Ontario for Enneagram workshops.   I also recall that he was referenced in Michael Harris book Unholy Orders.  And I do recall that he was considered by many to be one of the prima liturgists in Canada .

And then of course there is the stuff of the layman’s grapevine –  “rumour and innuendo” sort of things which we dare not speak precisely because they are legally deemed to be just that – nothing but “rumour and innuendo.”  (Those who have followed the Cornwall sex abuse scandal and inquiry know all about that!)

Anyway, I will be watching word of Bishop Lahey’s ‘alleged’ possession of kiddie porn with deep and great interest from afar.  I pray that those who have anything of merit to add to the current allegations will have the courage, grace and strength to do so.

Those following the breaking news please give us the news and keep us all updated on this thread – also please post links to articles of interest.

I do believe a few knees are knocking :).

Enough for now.

Sylvia

(cornwall@theinquiry.ca)

This entry was posted in Clerical sexual predators. Bookmark the permalink.

138 Responses to Episcopal scandal

  1. Sylvia says:

    Lahey’s arrest last straw for former altar boys
    Church hit with $2-million lawsuit after new claims of sex abuse at hands of priest

    ChronicleHerald.ca

    By PATRICIA BROOKS ARENBURG Staff Reporter
    Fri. Oct 9 – 4:46 AM

    Warren Latimer, left, holds his head while his brother Philip speaks with news media Thursday about their alleged abuse at the hands of their childhood priest, Father Allan MacDonald. Philip Latimer is suing the Catholic Church, claiming officials were negligent in their failure to supervise the priest and protect children from abuse. (Christian Laforce / Staff)

    The two brothers spoke to their wives but never told each other what they endured as altar boys.

    That is, until this week.

    “I thought I was alone,” Philip Latimer said.

    Philip and Warren Latimer told reporters at a news conference Thursday in Halifax that Rev. Allan MacDonald, a former priest at St. Paul’s Parish in the Diocese of Antigonish, had sexually abused them.

    Father MacDonald has since died.

    The brothers say the abuse started at about age 11, while they were altar boys at St. Paul’s Parish in the Catholic community of Havre Boucher, and continued for a few years.

    Philip Latimer told reporters that back then he was a boy looking to get into heaven to be with a friend who died when they were in Grade 1, and he said the priest lured him with trips to hockey games, free pizza and beer.

    Now 47, the married father of three said he didn’t come forward until he heard the news that Bishop Raymond Lahey had been charged with possessing and importing child pornography.

    The former head of the troubled diocese was instrumental in reaching the $15-million settlement between the church and sexual abuse victims from the diocese.

    “I had been keeping track of it, putting it out of my mind as best I could, but when the man that orchestrated the deal was no different than the man that committed the crime, allegedly, . . . that did it. That did it for me,” Philip Latimer said.

    He said he tried to contact the lawyer representing the other abuse victims in the settlement, but that lawyer was away on vacation.

    Mr. Latimer then contacted Ledroit Beckett, an Ontario law firm representing alleged victims of abuse in a separate case against the Archdiocese of Halifax and the Diocese of Yarmouth.

    He said it is troubling that Bishop Lahey, the Archdiocese of Halifax and the Diocese of Antigonish will be able to put the alleged abuse behind them when the $15-million settlement is finalized in the other lawsuit.

    But Mr. Latimer said some victims may be left out in the cold if they miss the Dec. 4 deadline to participate in that settlement.

    “And then the victims are left in a helpless state.”

    Warren Latimer found out about his brother’s abuse from one of their sisters on Monday. When the brothers spoke, they didn’t discuss the details of their alleged abuse.

    Nancy Latimer, Philip’s wife of 24 years, said she didn’t know the details of her husband’s abuse until she read some of them in the lawsuit he filed in Nova Scotia Supreme Court earlier this week.

    “To read what he went through, I had no idea what he went through,” she said.

    When he first told her over two decades ago, “it was just ‘I was molested, assaulted sexually,’ and that was it,” she said. “It was never discussed again, and to read this, it’s very stressful.”

    Her husband, a welder from Pleasant Hill, Inverness County, is seeking $2 million in damages from the Diocese of Antigonish and the Archdiocese of Halifax for the abuse he claims he suffered at the hands of the priest.

    None of the allegations contained in the lawsuit or discussed at the news conference have been proven in court.

    Marilyn Sweet, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Halifax, said the church is not commenting on the allegations.

    Father MacDonald was ordained in 1940 and served from 1955 to 1999 in St. Paul’s Parish in Havre Boucher.

    He was respected by Philip Latimer’s parents, who allowed their son to ride in the cleric’s car and stay unsupervised with him overnight.

    The lawsuit says the alleged abuse included fondling, masturbation and “other sexual activities.” It states that Father MacDonald also “engaged in a pattern of behaviour” intended to make the young boy feel special in the eyes of God and “to make the plaintiff feel that his soul was in jeopardy, and that (he) would suffer eternally in Hell, if he did not obey Father MacDonald’s commands.”

    Philip Latimer claims both the diocese and archdiocese were negligent in their duties and liable. The diocese was responsible for supervising the priest and it was the archdiocese’s duty to oversee the diocese, the lawsuit claims.

    “If the diocese did not know, . . . it was because of the existence of its own rules, principles and ideologies which allowed Father MacDonald to conceal his activities and cover up his deviant behaviour,” the lawsuit said.

    In his lawsuit, Philip Latimer lists three pages of consequences stemming from the alleged abuse ranging from mental anguish to loss of religious beliefs to sexual problems, alcoholism, depression and suicidal thoughts. He no longer goes to church.

    He said he is not filing this lawsuit for the money, telling reporters he could have collected somewhere in the vicinity of $170,000 without going public. But he wants the church to fully account for what happened to him and others who may have been abused.

    His brother Warren hasn’t yet decided if he will join Philip’s lawsuit. His own family is still adjusting to the news. He just told his children, 12 and 14, this week.

    “The first reaction of my daughter was she slapped me in the face for coming forward. She was embarrassed,” Warren Latimer said.

    “It’s a reaction. She’s young. I don’t hold any grudges to her. She’s a beautiful little girl.”

    He said this past week has been difficult, reliving all the memories, especially the time he got drunk at the priest’s house and confronted him.

    “I kicked him in the privates, punched him in the mouth, threw him down a flight of stairs, split his head open,” he said.

    The priest didn’t press charges “because he knew he couldn’t,” he said.

    When he heard the news a few years ago that Father MacDonald had died, “I was happy,” Warren said.

    “I hated him. I didn’t like the man, plain and simple. Glad to see him gone when he died.”

    Although his faith has been shattered, Philip Latimer said “he’s asking the people of the parish of Havre Boucher and in other parishes not to leave their church, not to lose sight of the true things.”

    “If you believe in God, then you trust in him. If you believe in his son, then you trust in him.”

    ( pbrooks@herald.ca)

  2. Sylvia says:

    Judge Allows Bishop to Stay

    Kate Yule

    CFRA

    Friday, October 9, 2009

    A Catholic bishop facing child pornography charges will be allowed to stay in the capital while he awaits his trial.

    An Ottawa judge has changed bail conditions for Father Raymond Lahey so he can stay at the city’s Archdiocese.

    Since he resigned from the diocese of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, last week, Lahey had been living in New Brunswick. Once the charges of child porn possession were laid, residents said they didn’t want him in their community.

    Ottawa’s Archbishop, Terrence Prendergast has already agreed to take Lahey in.

    Lahey is due back in court on November 4.

  3. RealityChecker says:

    Helen and Perry Dunlop may not agree with me – but you know something …..I really believe this s*** that has hit the fan within the RC church recently involving Lahey quite frankly – VINDICATES Perry Dunlop!!

    What the heck was a cop to do when faced with the fact “higher ups” were covering it up???

    Perry – you did the right thing – you are actually being vindicated as more and more victims come forward and more and more scandels errupt. A Bishop with kiddie porn??? Sick!

    For 20 years they knew Lahey was into porn – no one did anything!!!

    For how long did they know something was going on in Cornwall??? You said there was a coverup – you exposed it – you did what was right!

    There is no way on earth Glaude can rationally demonize you in his report. There’s no way in hell!

    He has no other choice but to vindicate you in his report – you couldn’t ask for better timing!

    REST EASY – MY FRIEND!!!

    You wanted the victims to speak – they have!!!

    Way to go Perry!

  4. Sylvia says:

    Judge allows accused bishop to stay in Ottawa
    Police will be checking up on former bishop Raymond Lahey after his lawyer handed over the man’s passport. He will also be required to live at the Ottawa Catholic Archdiocese Priest’s Residence.

    By: CTV.ca News Staff

    Date: Fri. Oct. 9 2009 1:46 PM ET

    A Roman Catholic bishop facing child pornography charges will be staying in Ottawa while his case is before the courts.

    Raymond Lahey appeared briefly in court on Friday morning, to have some of his bail conditions adjusted.

    A judge agreed to allow Lahey to live at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Ottawa until his trial begins.

    Lahey was supposed to be staying in New Brunswick, but he requested the change after residents in that province complained about his presence.

    Archbishop Terrence Prendergast said in a statement that the accused had limited options which is why the Archdiocese has allowed him to stay with them.

    “When Bishop Raymond Lahey called our diocesan offices on Wednesday afternoon, he was facing very few — practically no — options with respect to a residence in Ottawa,” he said in a prepared statement.

    “In Christian charity, and believing that it was the action that the Lord would want us to take, I have accepted that he stay at our priests’ residence. I thank the priests of our residence for their generous spirit in receiving him in their midst,” he added.

    Prendergast also said the matter has “deeply saddened and shaken” the Catholic community.

    The 69-year-old handed over his passport to police and will have to report to authorities on a biweekly basis.

    The next hearing in the court case is scheduled for Nov. 4.

    Ottawa police Det. Dan Melchiorre said the bishop’s bail conditions were strict.

    “The conditions are very stringent…they are very strict conditions,” he told reporters outside an Ottawa courthouse on Friday morning.

    “A lot of it has to do with the Internet, computers, that sort of stuff.”

    He said that other conditions included restrictions on the bishop’s presence “around children under the age of 18.”

    Melchiorre wrote a search warrant application that was used to collect evidence in the investigation involving Lahey.

    Lahey turned himself in to Ottawa police earlier this month. He faces charges for allegedly importing and possessing child pornography and remains free on bail.

    He was charged after Ottawa airport border agents allegedly found sexually graphic images of young boys on a laptop computer when Lahey returned to Canada from an overseas trip on Sept. 15.

    The charges have not been proven in court.

    Melchiorre said the decision to lay charges against the former bishop was not made lightly and took time as investigators sifted through the images to determine if a crime had taken place.

    “The internet is vast and (people) may come across one image that is potentially illegal,” he said. “I’m not saying that is good, but I’m saying it can happen. And it’s up to us to investigate to make sure that in these cases, that there’s no doubt in our mind that the issue is the charges are sustainable in court.”

    Until recently, Lahey was the bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish in Nova Scotia.

    He stepped down from his post in late September and Ottawa police issued a warrant for his arrest days later.

    Lahey previously served as a bishop in the Diocese of St. George in Newfoundland, where he worked for 18 years. He was appointed to his Nova Scotia post in 2003.

    With files from The Canadian Press

  5. Sylvia says:

    Well, well…

    This was quick. The Archdiocese of Ottawa has settled a suit against convicted clerical paedophile Father Dale Crampton!

    When was that suit launched? Not too terribly long ago if memory serves me correct.

    Perhaps the Lahey business expedited matters? Crampton after all was a class mate of Lahey. The pair went through Saint Paul’s seminary together. Doesn’t look to good does it? Lahey charged with possession of kiddie porn and saying he is attracted males “20 to 21” years of age and running around the country violating his bail left right and centre while presumably looking for a place to lay his head – but only in Ottawa. And Lahey’s paedophile seminary classmate in Ottawa facing another lawsuit. Not good optics at all. The pair should have lots to chitty chat about over a cup of coffee.

    But, I’m happy for you Alex that it’s over and you weren’t run in circles for months on end.

    Perhaps Crampton and Lahey will find time to wile away a few hours in Ottawa remembering the good old days? or discussing the trials and tribulations of being caught? or both?

    Here’s the article……

    Ottawa Catholic archdiocese settles sex-abuse claim

    The Ottawa Citizen

    October 9, 2009 6:02 PM

    OTTAWA — The Catholic archdiocese of Ottawa has settled a lawsuit filed by a man sexually abused by an Eastern Ontario priest more than 25 years ago, according to a statement from Archbishop Terrence Prendergast.

    The victim, who can only be identified as “Alex” under the terms of an old publication ban, was molested by then-priest Dale Crampton, who pleaded guilty in December 1986 to indecently assaulting seven altar boys between 1973 and 1982.
    Crampton was diagnosed with alcoholism and pedophilia — with a preference for boys — and was originally given a suspended sentence, with no jail time, placed on probation and ordered to undergo psychiatric counselling. An appeal of that sentence was upheld in June 1987, and Crampton was sentenced to eight months in jail.
    “Alex” filed suit against the archdiocese last June, after learning the archdiocese had paid $150,000 to the families of three of the seven victims in 1990. In June, the archdiocese’s vicar-general Kevin Beach suggested “Alex” had been put up to the suit by his lawyer.
    “This occasion gives me the opportunity to apologize to [“Alex”] and to the other victims of Dale Crampton,” Predergast said in his statement. “I state again the commitment of our diocese, and my personal commitment, to create a safe environment in the church for young people and for other vulnerable persons.”

    On Thursday, Prendergast announced the archdiocese would offer shelter to former Antigonish bishop Raymond Lahey while he faces charges in Ottawa for allegedly possessing and importing child pornography.

    Terms of the settlement with “Alex” were not disclosed.
    © Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

  6. snowdog says:

    Again great work, start tying all the priests together that have been charged or “caught”, you will find they all have something in common, once you know this link you will find other priests yet to be uncovered, follow Prendergast, it goes higher still.

  7. RealityChecker says:

    Something I noticed “snowdog” – there sure are alot of priests from the clan – MACDONALD accused, charged or caught!!!

    Errol MacDonald
    Allan MacDonald
    Charles MacDonald

    To name a few!

  8. RealityChecker says:

    Hugh MacDonald
    Malcolm MacDonald
    Milton MacDonald Murray MacDonald
    Colin MacDonald

    I know it might be a familiar name BUT…there’s certainly something “funny” with that clan!

  9. RealityChecker says:

    And John – there is absolutely NO OFFENCE meant!!! It’s just something I noticed about the MacDonald name. Coming up way too often in these stories. Why???

  10. RealityChecker says:

    YOU AREN’T GOING TO BELIEVE THIS!!! (Translated from French – cyberpress). My French isn’t the greatest so bare with me for what I copied)

    The Vatican’s ambassador to Canada, Archbishop Luigi Ventura, tried until the last minute to maintain a veil of silence on the scandal involving Bishop Raymond Lahey, charged with possession and importation of child pornography, protests Association of victims of priests in Quebec.

    Une semaine après l’arrestation de Mgr Lahey, le pape Benoît XVI a annoncé que Mgr Ventura quittait le Canada pour la France. A week after the arrest of Bishop Lahey, Pope Benedict XVI announced that Bishop Ventura left Canada for France. À Ottawa, la nonciature apostolique, nom officiel de l’ambassade du Vatican, dit qu’il n’y a aucun rapport entre ces deux faits. In Ottawa, the apostolic nuncio, the official name of the Vatican Embassy, said there was no connection between these two facts. «Une chose est sûre : Mgr Ventura part dans la controverse, et j’espère que celle-ci le suivra en France», affirme France Bédard, fondatrice de l’Association des victimes de prêtres. “One thing is certain: Bishop Ventura part in the controversy, and I hope that it will follow in France,” France said Bedard, founder of the Association of Victims of priests.

    Lire la suite d el’article sur Cyber Presse.ca Read more of el’article on Cyber Presse.ca
    Par Ragazou – Publié dans : National Canada By Ragazou – Published in: National Canada
    Ecrire un commentaire 0 – Voir le commentaire – Voir les commentaires Write a comment 0 – View Comment – View comments – Recommander – Recommend

  11. RealityChecker says:

    OMG…..seems the Vatican’s Ambassador to Canada – Ventura got shipped off to France awfully darned fast!!! September 22 he was sent.

    I can’t cut and paste The Presse reports because of the translations. You got to read this mess!!! There’s a validated time-line reported in the article from The Presse since Lahey was stopped at customs! UNBELIEVABLE!

    Ventura appointed Lahey in Antongnish in 2003.

  12. RealityChecker says:

    The article from cyberpresse.ca was written by Andre Noel I think late evening on the 9th then reappeared a.m. on the 10th. My French isn’t the greatest. (Use it or lose it – but I certainly catch the main drift!)

  13. RealityChecker says:

    The Nuncio VENTURA WAS SHIPPED OUT OF CANADA TO FRANCE ON SEPTEMBER 22!!!

    ANYONE CHECK HIS LAPTOP ON THE WAY OUT OF THE COUNTRY!!!

  14. Sylvia says:

    Help! We need fluently bilingual readers to translate post #85.

    Are all – or some of – the chickens starting to come home to roost?

    Translators please. We need a hand…

  15. Sylvia says:

    Another news item of interst below.

    Comment first 🙂

    “Even though this particular incident dates from the early 1980s,” So says Archbishop Prendergast to clericial sex abuse victim Alex. The stipulation for an apology was part of the negotiated settlement. Those words are part of the “apology.” What an insult to Alex. What an insult to every victyim of clerical sexual abuse everywhere.

    “Even though..”!!!

    How utterly disgusting. How terribly pathetic.

    That’s the best an Archbishop can do? Perhaps his mind was too preoccupied with the well-being of his colleague and “alleged” kiddie porn possessor Bishop Raymond Lahey to hammer out what might pass for a decent, heart-felt and fitting apology?

    The only saving grace in all of this is that’s it’s always good when true colours show through.

    And here’s the article, with hats off to Alex and Rob Talach for their candid comments….

    Settlement reached in church sex suit

    No details released as Archdiocese of Ottawa apologizes for abuse by priest

    By Robert Sibley, The Ottawa CitizenOctober 9, 2009

    OTTAWA — An Ottawa man sexually abused as a boy by his parish priest has denounced an apology from the Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa as “feeble.”

    Earlier this year, the 40-year-old, who can only be identified as “Alex” because of a court-imposed publication ban, filed a $2-million suit against the church for abuse he suffered in 1982 as a 14-year-old altar boy at the hands of Rev. Dale Crampton. The one-time pastor at St. Maurice Church on Percy Street was found guilty in 1986 of indecently assaulting seven altar boys and sentenced to eight months in jail.

    Late Friday afternoon, the diocese issued a brief statement under the name of Archbishop Terence Prendergast apologizing for the sexual abuse Alex endured from Crampton. The statement was part of an agreed-upon settlement between Alex and the archdiocese.

    “I am grateful that we have come to an early and mediated settlement of the claim for, sexual abuse, of A.V.B. (Alex) against Dale Crampton and the Archdiocese,” Prendergast says in the statement. “This occasion gives me the opportunity to apologize to A.V.B. and to the other victims of Dale Crampton.

    “Even though this particular incident dates from the early 1980s, we have all been made aware of the pain that these cases, involving sexual abuse and abuse of trust, have caused to the victims and to their families throughout the years. I state again the commitment of our diocese, and my personal commitment, to create a safe environment in the church for young people and for other vulnerable persons.”

    In an interview Friday evening, Alex expressed dissatisfaction with the statement, even though, as he put it, “I wasn’t expecting anything more.”

    “This media release is as feeble as they come,” he said. “But let’s face it, the Catholic Church is a huge machine and they want to mitigate these things as much as possible. I guess I shouldn’t expect anything more.”

    Alex’s lawyer, Robert Talach, with the London, Ont.-based firm Ledroit Beckett, wasn’t satisfied either.

    “The terms of the settlement required an apology. They sure aren’t putting out a press release out of the goodness of their hearts,” he said, noting the time of the release — late on a Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend.

    Attempts to reach officials with the archdiocese for further comment were unsuccessful.

    The amount of the settlement in Alex’s case was not disclosed, but in 1990, the archdiocese paid $150,000 to the families of three of the seven altar boys who’d been abused by Crampton.

    Alex’s case attracted considerable attention this past June, when Monsignor Kevin Beach, the archdiocese’s vicar general, suggested Alex had initiated the lawsuit only at his lawyer’s instigation.

    “I would think that it was at his lawyer’s urging that this gentleman decided to launch a lawsuit, rather than communicate with us directly,” Beach said.

    The accusation still rankles Alex. He recalled attention to a mediation session at which Beach was present:

    “I walked into this meeting and this same man was standing there offering to shake hands like he’s my friend. One day he’s trying to make me and my lawyer out to be the bad guys (for initiating a lawsuit), and then he’s acting like a friend extending an olive branch. That was almost more of a slap in the face than having to come forward with all of this.

    “As much as they preach about forgiveness and doing the right thing, they don’t seem very forthcoming in trying to live up to these kinds of things.

    “I was 14 years old,” said Alex, “and I was abused by a person in a position of power, a person I was supposed to be able to trust, but I was also abused by an institution I was taught to trust. It’s something that remains with you forever.”

    Talach shares his client’s sentiment, but sees the church’s response to Alex’s case, including Friday’s press release, as all too typical.

    “The standard replay of the Church is first to vilify the victim. When that runs out of favour with the public, the next step is to vilify the lawyers,” he said.

    Talach also questioned the wording of the apology, arguing that its specific reference to incidents in the 1980s effectively implies that sexual abuse by priests is all in the past.

    “The caution I would have for anyone who makes that conclusion is to remember that there is a time lag on these claims surfacing,” he said, pointing out that the archdiocese was aware of Crampton’s behaviour long before Alex was abused. “Most people come forward in their 40s, so the fact that we haven’t had a complaint or haven’t had anything happen in the Archdiocese of Ottawa recently isn’t a guarantee it isn’t happening now.

    “It would be refreshing if the church would step forward, lay its faults bare for the public, and seek forgiveness from the community, consistent with its own doctrine.”

    Talach said the settlement is fine for his client and the apology of sorts allows him to go on with his life as best he can, but he questioned just how serious the church is in dealing with its problem priests.

    “I think most Catholics and most parishioners would want to know if complaints were reacted to poorly or were ignored,” he said. “What did the church know, and when did it know it?”

    Talach estimated that there are “hundreds” of cases in Ontario of alleged sexual abuse by priests. His firm alone is involved with at least a dozen in this province, as well as another dozen or so in the Maritimes. He says his firm has been contacted by other alleged victims of Crampton. “And there’ll be a second chapter to this story.”

    As for Alex, he wants to put the story behind him as best he can. He feels that in going public with his case, he’s been vindicated. “I’ve been able to take the shroud of secrecy away from the church by having exposed it on my terms.”

    The church may have lost something else, too. “Do I still go to church? No. Do I take my kids to church? No. Do I raise them in the typical Catholic way? I don’t think so, not anymore.”

    © Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

    http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Settlement+reached+church+suit/2087699/story.html

  16. wildone says:

    Reality Checker this is the translation…….

    A week after the arrest of Bishop Lahey, Pope Benedict XVI has announced that Bishop Ventura left Canada for France. A week after the arrest of Bishop Lahey, Pope Benedict XVI announced that Bishop Ventura left Canada for France. In Ottawa, the Apostolic Nunciature, official name of the Vatican Embassy, said that there is no relationship between these two facts. In Ottawa, the apostolic nuncio, the official name of the Vatican Embassy, said there was no. connection between these two facts. “One thing is certain: Bishop Ventura share in controversy, and I hope that it will follow in France”, says France Bédard, founder of the Association of the victims of priests. “One thing is certain: Bishop Ventura hand in the controversy, and I hope that it will follow in France,” said Bedard France, founder of the Association of Victims of priests.

    Read more el d ‘ article on Cyber Presse.ca Read more of el ‘ article on Cyber Presse.ca

    Hope this helps!!!!!

  17. RealityChecker says:

    On September 15, Bishop Lahey, Bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish in Nova Scotia, has returned from the United States and landed at the Ottawa airport. A customs official found images of boys aged 8 to 10 years in his laptop. This and other objects were seized. The bishop has been arrested and released pending the results of the investigation.

    “He announced to the Apostolic Nuncio (Ottawa) he wanted to resign immediately after his arrest at the airport,” said the nuncio in an email to The Press. Bishop Lahey he said why he wanted to resign? “It is very logical that he gave the reasons why he had been arrested, and why the pope accepted his resignation immediately,” said the Nuncio.

    Now, the nuncio did not tell anyone for several days, even to the Conference of Canadian Catholic Bishops (CCCB). “It was Bishop Lahey decide whether to inform his colleagues,” she said, noting that it has no authority over the CCCB.

    A week later, on September 22, the pope announced that Archbishop Ventura, who was appointed Bishop Lahey bishop in Antigonish in 2003, left Canada to become apostolic nuncio in France. The transfer procedure had begun four months earlier, assured his office in Ottawa.

    On 25 September, after an investigation by the Ottawa Police on charges of possession and importation of child pornography have been filed against Bishop Lahey. The next day, September 26, the CCCB has issued a statement in which it has explained laconically that “the Holy Father accepted the resignation of Bishop Raymond J. Lahey for personal reasons. ” But it still did not know what those personal reasons, the apostolic nuncio did not have confided that he had been arrested.

    “The CCCB has been informed of the charges against Bishop Lahey as Wednesday, September 30 at 14:30 by a CBC Television, said Gerard Baril, the communications department of the CCCB, in an email sent to Press. The “personal reasons” that led Bishop Lahey to submit his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI we were quite unknown. The bishops are not within the authority of the Episcopal Conference, but the pope. This explains that Bishop Lahey was not required to inform the CECC reasons why he had asked to be relieved of his episcopal office. ”

    “Two weeks after being informed that Bishop Lahey had been arrested at the airport, the Vatican ambassador in Ottawa had not even informed the Canadian bishops, said Bedard. What did he expect? He is not accused? Such secrecy are not surprising: they are the rule. The Vatican has even threatened to excommunicate members of the clergy who denounce the existence of sex crimes in the Church. ”

    “Before being appointed Bishop of Antigonish by the Apostolic Nuncio Luigi Ventura, Bishop Lahey was bishop in Newfoundland, said Bedard. The Archdiocese of St. John’s (Newfoundland) admitted he was aware for years of allegations made against Lahey by a victim of sexual abuse at Mount Cashel orphanage. The victim says he was shocked in 1985 when he was young boy, seeing pornography who was at Lahey, then a priest. This did not prevent him from becoming a bishop, first in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. “

  18. RealityChecker says:

    Just so everyone knows – the news items on Ventura’s transfer to France on September 22/09 are all in French and/or Italian and need translating to English.

    Everyone was focusing on the charges and where Lahey was overlooking the fact the Papal Nuncio was being reassigned in the midst of this scandel.

    At present – We have no Papal Representative in Canada – the position is Vacant…and I can’t find anything indicating WHO is going to replace Ventura.

  19. RealityChecker says:

    I’d like to know HOW Michael Valpy from the Globe and Mail wrote “CHURCH VOCAL IN FACE OF SCANDAL” on October 08/09 claiming……

    “And the Pope’s representative in Canada this week told theology students in Toronto that the Canadian church had been wounded.”

    The Pope’s representavive in Canada was long gone and out of Canada the first week of October!!!

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/church-leaders-vocal-in-face-of-scandal/article1317794/

  20. prima facie says:

    Reality Checker; very strange isn’t it or magnificently coincidental? A “State’s (Vatican) Ambassador” is re-assigned suddenly and without “celebation”. A “State” like others, that has a seat at the United Nations. You do a great job tracking down information and researching it…way to go!

    Could you imagine what you could really do, with time and money. Imagine being able to get to the bottom of this story.

    It would be so wonderful if some “like-minded” wealthy, philanthropist would come forward and support you and a few “like-minded” individuals to “dig deep” into various “scandals”, i.e.) government, private sector, church, etc. and disclose the facts (whatever they may be), offer intervention strategies and suggest resolution.

    From this aforementioned perspective, you et al, would be free from political and special interest manipulations. In addition, you would be able to “defend” yourself against unscrupulous, frivolous litigations.

    Unfortunately, today’s intervention strategies are orchestrated by “government” mostly or “special interests”, for a) “damage control”, b)re-interpret history and c) construct a “false sense of security” wherein the “system” attempts to promote the belief that, “all-is-well”: (for the greater good”, as interpreted by the current “ruling class”).

    This current “social intervention strategy” (public inquiries, shared responsibility as opposed to individual responsibility, shaming-ostracizing-vilifying-criminalizing-casting out whistleblowers), in the long run, does little to “resolve” problems such as private sector/public sector/church etc., corruption/scandals, we are facing today. To the contrary, I believe todays intervention strategies (ex: public inquiries, shared responsibilities as opposed to individual responsibility, shaming and vilifying whistleblowers, etc) perpetuates deviance and criminal behaviour….i.e.)despite how many pension funds are robbed and how many “priests” have been charged and investigated over the past decades, the behaviours continue…unabated and without fear.

    Finally: Does anyone have any information (websites/links) to John Spice (remember him?). Why did he leave the inquiry again? Also does anyone have information on his asociations with Norm Inkster (Inkster was also with Interpol)and their associates/consultants used in work they may have done relating to “trafficking in human beings, people smuggling, child sexual exploitation.

    I believe, at some time, “the people” will have had enough and say, “I’m not gonna take it anymore”. Some wealthy and “good” philanthropist will come forward. (what a dream!!)

  21. snowdog says:

    No the name “MacDonald” is not the link, think in terms of what they have in common where was their starting point, Cornwall is not the answer just an event that had media attention. Look to their histories where they began. Lahey was in Ottawa for a reason, look to who is covering for him where this person is from his beginnings…..

  22. RealityChecker says:

    What do they have in common????

    They’re all Catholic and obviously had some misguided teachings. 🙂

    I have no idea what the common link is….

    Knights of Columbus???
    Sons of Mary???
    Regis College???

    I’m just guessing – anyone else have any ideas?

  23. RealityChecker says:

    Prima Facie – you have to realize I am a whistleblower and got severely shafted trying to out some wrongs. My own story and what I’m involved with – is far from over!!!

    In my own experience – I had lessons to learn and I learned them well!!!
    There are very few who can pull the wool over my eyes!!!

    And if I think you’re pulling a number on me – I’ll tell you – directly – upfront – in your face – and pull out all the facts!

    Someday…the whole story will be told. Patience is the key!

    In the meantime – you out the discrepancies and the FACTS!

    Have a good day – I’m going back to bed 🙂

  24. prima facie says:

    Yes, again you are right “Reality Checker”.
    “patience is the key”. Sleep well.

  25. prima facie says:

    I’m sure some of you have watched the television news today, Sunday the 11th of October 2009. Amused or not?

    On “CTV”, they first reported about the recent (last couple of days)”Vaticans message to the U.N.” In it the Vatican asserts that past cases have shown that the “clergy” or the “accused”, were not paedophiles, perverts or sexual predators, rather they were homosexuals. So, let the “defocusing begin” and watch the “new order-engineering” evolve.
    Would it not be obvious (to some readers)that some of the accused are homosexuals, “straight” heterosexuals, bi-sexuals, etc., etc.? We will so easily get de-focussed; especially with “the powers that be” controlling and pushing the “social planning” “agenda”.

    In another interview, I watched “CCCB” spokesperson Archbishop James Weisberger (Winnipeg), fumble around for words and look like a babbling buffoon, trying to find the “words” he would like us to accept.
    What I don’t accept are his assertions that no-one knew how to handle abuse allegations, there was no technology, resources, etc. and they did the best they could.

    And thanks to “dissertations”, “policy-protocol”, “standard-operational manuals” and the like, compiled and brokered with the “CCCB”, “Ledroit, Beckett”, et al, a couple of years ago, individual responsibility will continue to be circumvented, admission of guilt will continue to be circumvented, individual accountability and consequences will be skirted….and consequently, it is my opinion, abuse will continue.

    I predict that massive “arguing” between religion, secular, special interests, beliefs, etc….including extremes on all sides, will be deliberately fuelled henceforth and into the next ten years, sparking, who knows what….. “revolutionary change” in “the church”?

    Sorry I don’t have links for any of the above.

  26. Sylvia says:

    I don’t know if this is the TV clip prima facie, but even if not the one you reference it’s a stammering stuttering Archbishop James Weigerber – president of the CCCB! – trying to tippy toe around a few questions.

    http://watch.ctv.ca/news/latest/church-abuse/#clip222726

    The questions which should be put to Archbishop Wesigerber are the following:

    (1) How many Canadian clergy who have been reported to or are known to Church authorities as molesters are floating around sanctuaries and/or dioceses in Canada or abroad?

    (2) How many non Canadian clergy who have been reported to or are known to Canadian Church authorities as molesters are floating around sanctuaries and/or dioceses in Canada?

    (3) Of the above, how many who are floating about here and there were found guilty in a court of law and were quietly parachuted into a parish or diocese? without a heads up to parents?

  27. prima facie says:

    Hi Sylvia: “YOU GOT IT” Sylvia…on all counts, including 1,2,3.

    Can I come over?….for the rest of my life?

  28. AbsentObserver says:

    Search warrants executed on Lahey’s two Nova Scotia residence and an office down there … based on information collected by the Ottawa police.

    Search is being conducted today. Could result in charges being laid down there as well.

    Also … Cornwall inquiry commissioner seeking ANOTHER extension … says the report is ready but still hasn’t been properly printed and translated. Waiting to hear today what the newest deadline is.

  29. prima facie says:

    RE: Bishop Lahey:
    So, I would be very interested in knowing where Mr. Lahey was and what he did, after September 15, 2009, when at the “Port of Entry”, he was first questioned, “put on alert” so-to-speak,and, technology, that was on his person, was seized; (without a trace?).
    Was Mr. Lahey or any of his “associates” seen in the Antigonish and Sydney areas. (difficult to know, who would be suspicious or not).

    RE “Cornwall Public Inquiry” an additional extension of time for Commissioner Glaude to file “report” to Ontario-Attorney Generals Office. Probably.
    Don’t forget the we were advised by Commissioner Glaude and news stories that, “Cornwall Public Inquiry” turned into a “research paper” and the were were led to believe the “findings, recommendations” are to be reviewed/implemented by the whole world.
    In light of Bishop Lahey’s revelations, the news-cycle, timing, and, the belief that the Ontario Government doesn’t want to look so blatantly “stupid” or “biased”, we may see several delays because of; translation difficulties, no printing ink, technological malfunctions, the whole report accidentally deleted with no “saved” backup, no one really had any education or knowledge on how to do a report or “save” information safely or, maybe even a delay because of a future “ice age”.

    And then, who know’s WHEN the public will see it ALL!!

  30. AbsentObserver says:

    From the ministry today …

    At the request of Commissioner Normand Glaude, Ontario has provided the Cornwall Public Inquiry with an extension. The new date for the delivery of the report is December 15, 2009.

  31. Shirley Stephens says:

    Glaude’s report was due in mid October of this year and yet he is granted yet another extension to mid December for whatever excues, legit or otherwise, do any of you people out there think that maybe this latest bombshell regarding Bishop Lahey (yet another ‘alleged’ pervert in possesion of kiddy porn) has anything to do with the extension of Glaude’s report???? Me thinks there might be a glitch thrown into the lap of our dearly beloved Commissioner….I’d love to be a fly on the wall in Glaude’s office right about now, especially regarding the latest seizures of Lahey’s files and computers if and when more ‘dirt’ may surface. Now, bear in mind….the Cornwall Public Inquiry has been ‘over and done with’ for 8 months, but NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN by the victims or the Dunlop family. AND, don’t forget….David Silmser was not the only vistim who accepted a pay-off from the Catholic Church…..wasn’t Lahey involved in a multi-million dollar payout as well….which did not surface at the Cornwall Inquiry??? Didn’t anyone come forward with said information while the inquiry was put together or did anyone even have a clue that this happened years ago therefore it would be classed as ‘historical’ sexual abuse and pay-offs???
    Move over, Reality Checker, half that toilet is mine.

  32. Sylvia says:

    Note that the note that comments on the following article have been disabled for legal reasons. That is as it appears on the Globe & Mail website. What legal reasons I wonder?!!

    That aside, is it not a wee late in the game to run in to seize computers in Bishop Raymond Lahey’s homes? Furthermore, as others have said, where exactly was Lahey when he was among the ranks of the missing ……while out on bail? And further to that, which of Lahey friends had or may have had access to the bishops homes? And finally, did anyone order that a watchful eye be kept on the homes of Bishop Lahey – from the moment those kiddie porn files were found on his laptop? If not, why not?

    After all of this time I think it will be a minor miracle if anything is found anywhere in Lahey’s residences, but, miracles do happen. We shall just have to wait and see.

    Here’s the article….

    Child exploitation unit go through two residences and office of the former bishop accused in Ottawa of possessing child porn

    Toronto Globe & Mail

    Antigonish, N.S. — Canadian Press

    Published on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 10:19AM EDT

    Last updated on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 4:02PM EDT

    RCMP in Nova Scotia have seized three computers and various storage devices during searches of the residences and office of a bishop accused in Ottawa of possessing child porn.

    Police say the latest search was Wednesday at the Sydney residence of Raymond Lahey, who resigned as bishop of the diocese of Antigonish after he was charged with possessing and importing child pornography in Ontario.

    Sergeant Brigdit Leger said one computer was seized in the search of an apartment in Sydney. Another two computers were seized Tuesday in Antigonish during a search of Mr. Lahey’s home and his office in the town.

    Sgt. Leger said the devices will be examined by a special forensic unit based in Halifax.

    She said the searches in Antigonish and Sydney were conducted as a result of information obtained from the Ottawa police and a follow up investigation in Nova Scotia.

    Police charged Mr. Lahey on Sept. 25, 10 days after his laptop computer and digital storage devices were seized as he re-entered Canada from the United Kingdom at the Ottawa airport.

    Sgt. Leger said the latest search warrants are linked to the original charges in Ottawa.

    “This is very much an ongoing and active investigation,” Sgt. Leger said. “By no means is it completed.”

    Mr. Lahey, 69, was recently granted a request to live in Ottawa by an Ontario court until his trial begins.

    A search warrant used to probe Mr. Lahey’s laptop computer revealed how customs officers found several sexually explicit images of boys believed to be as young as eight years old while the bishop was detained at Ottawa’s airport.

    Border officials flagged Mr. Lahey because he was a man travelling alone and his passport showed several trips to Southeast Asia, where several countries are known for child pornography.

    Latest Comments
    Comments have been disabled
    Editor’s Note: We have closed comments on this story for legal reasons. We appreciate your understanding.

  33. prima facie says:

    …and, despite defamatory (my opinion) being posted by one or more bloggers against Perry Dunlop on a related story at CBC-Ottawa, I am unable to get my humble message posted there. (after signing up, etc., CBC disclose they pre-view and approve posts/blogs).
    I don’t think I was accusatory……

  34. RealityChecker says:

    Ahhhh…..commissioner Glaude – busy trying to pen his deepest apologies to a few people he had intended to demonize in his report. Just watch!!!

    There’s no way with this latest scandal that Glaude’s report can be made public – especially NOW – no way and no surprise!!!

    Perry – if it makes you feel any better – your apology is in the works!!! Watch what happens!

  35. Myomy says:

    I too find it suspicious that the Glaude report is delayed again. Would it be possible that he planned a whitewash of the Cornwall cover up with Perry to blame for everything while noting that the Canadian Church had cleaned up the problem after the Newfoundland scandal. This is delicious because the Lahey scandal leaves that carefully crafted lie in tatters. I almost wish that Glaude had made the report public a day before this scandal broke. That would preclude any further lies on that matter. Did he get a heads up? What was the old due date for the report?

  36. Shirley Stephens says:

    Myomy, I think it was July of this year…I could be wrong. Can anyone confirm?

  37. wildone says:

    The first was due in July of this year….will have more to tell as I have been in the offices of the inquiry for the last few days. Will have to watch my words and who I met, and what is going on!!

    John Mac Donald

  38. Sylvia says:

    I just came across the following words of wisdom from Bishop Raymond Lahey online. I bet whoever decided to pop it into the current edition of the Diocese of Antigonish Vocations Newsletter would love to retract :).

    Does Bishop Lahey really believe that possessing kiddie porn will “promote the good of God and the Church”?

    Does he think that the priesthood has truly advanced his personal holiness and the holiness of others?

    ……………….

    EXCERPT FROM A talk on vocations and the culture of vocations presented by H.E. Most Rev. Raymond J. Lahey, Bishop of Antigonish, at gatherings in both Sydney and Antigonish, Oct 17th and 18th, 2005 respectively.

    And a response to a vocation is not simply a response, but it must have the character of a true commitment. It must be both a deliberate choice, made in true peace of mind and in freedom, and a life choice, a commitment that comes from the deepest level of one’s being. And although any response to a vocation must be truly personal, it is never a response that can be made by thinking only of oneself.

    It must always address the good of others, both individual and social. As a husband or wife will I be able to be a true support for my spouse, not just whether that person can support me? Can I be a good parent? Will I be able as a priest or a religious to truly promote the good of God and the Church? In such a life choice there must always be idealism, but here there must also be an honest examination of personal strengths and limitations and the true needs of other persons and the society in which we live. And finally, as a response to the call of God, and not simply a human call, there must always be the conviction that this way of life will truly advance my personal holiness and the holiness of others.

  39. RealityChecker says:

    …..and we all love the Canadian Press reporting on the Cornwall Inquiry – don’t we??? cough…cough…cough – keep making Perry out to be the bad guy – keep spinning – you aren’t going to be able to do it for much longer!!!

    Cornwall inquiry gets extension to finish report
    Updated: Wed Oct. 14 2009 5:55:28 PM

    The Canadian Press

    TORONTO — A public inquiry in eastern Ontario established in 2005 to examine institutional responses to sex abuse allegations has been granted more time to complete its report.

    The Cornwall inquiry, which has cost nearly $50 million, heard much testimony over three years about allegations that a pedophile clan operated and public officials covered it up.

    The report is now due Dec. 15, after Commissioner G. Normand Glaude was granted his second request for an extension.

    Testimony wrapped in late February and the report was originally due July 31, but the commissioner requested an extension until late fall to allow for editing, translating and typesetting.

    At that time the Ontario government granted what it called a “final extension” to Oct. 15, but that was pushed to December after the commissioner asked for another extension.

    Many of the closing submissions focused on urging the commission to finally debunk the pedophile clan theory years after rumours spread through the community.

    Many suggest the blame for the sensational story, of which provincial police found no evidence, could be placed on former Cornwall police officer Perry Dunlop.

  40. Shirley Stephens says:

    Oh, Christ, gag me with a spoon. Dump this whole mess on Perry???? There are no victims….there was no cover-up, there were no abuse of little boys….nada! Just a fabricated tale you say? This whole episode/saga/inquiry has gone to hell in a hand basket. And Lahey does not have little boys in sexual acts on his computer either? Make you all a bet that he cleaned out his stuff before the feds got to his personal computers….could be why he was missing for a few days while out on bail….ohhhh, the powers that be. Something to think about.

  41. RealityChecker says:

    Don’t forget one thing – the Feds already have the computer and media stuff with the porn on it!!! Doesn’t matter what he could have cleaned out from his other personal computers. They got the goods!!!

  42. RealityChecker says:

    Hey John – I see you’ve had about 100 Roman Catholic bishops and observers from across Canada in town for the annual Plenary meeting. I see Chief Fontaine’s been in town too.

    Must be interesting as to WHO is showing up at the Inquiry offices – huh??? 😉

  43. RealityChecker says:

    Oh – and everyone will be happy to know – Cornwall Police Services got an A+ from the Ministry of Community and Safety and Correctional Services during their recent inspection.

    http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2132711

    They do these inspections every 3 years and the Ministry stipulates the report is confidential!!!

    HOWEVER, for a confidential report – Parkinson sure is blabbing the results to the S-F!!! Makes them look good!

    I sure call that PROFESSIONAL!!! (NOT)

  44. Shirley Stephens says:

    Guess they found lot’s of ‘goodies’ on Lahey’s laptop
    http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/091016/national/bishop_porn

  45. RealityChecker says:

    WOAH!!! What a pervert!!!

    Are their actual victims of Lahey’s coming forward??? I read a Blog or something from down east stating victims were coming forward but I haven’t seen anything in the mainstream media.

    Anyone know???

  46. RealityChecker says:

    Here’s the Globe article…..

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/bishop-laheys-computer-had-hundreds-of-child-porn-images-police-allege/article1327157/

    Told them he’s computer illiterate! Yep – uh – huh!

    PERVERT!!!

  47. RealityChecker says:

    “The documents said that Bishop Lahey said he did not know much about computers but admitted using file-sharing software and engaging in sex-related online discussions, although only with people he believed were adults.”

  48. Sylvia says:

    Here’s two of the articles re the “goodies.” Makes me sick!

    This man has been sashaying around the Canadian countryside for months encouraging Catholics to get excited about a new translation of the missal about to be adapted by the Canadian bishops (I think it’s the missal_. He was part of the working group – slaving away to help us all be gender inclusive and politically correct in our thinking and praying – and look what he was probably lugging around on his little laptop and gizzmos as he went from A to B talking about the glory of the liturgy!

    I would hanker a bet Lahey knows fellow Canadian liturgist Father Barry Glendinning. Glendenning, from the London Diocese, is a convicted clerical molester – Ottawa’s University of St. Paul had him roaming about teaching liturgy AFTER he was convicted. Saint Paul is Lahey’s alma mater.

    Also of general interest, other retired bishops who now reside in Ottawa and may help Lahey wile away the hours are: John S. Knight (former auxiliary of Toronto), Jacques Landriault (an Alfred Ontario boy – former bishop of Timmins ON who was previously an auxiliary bishop in Cornwall, ON), Joseph Aurele Plourde (former Archbishop of Ottawa who was previously an auxiliary in Cornwall), and Peter Sutton (former bishop of Labrador City and Keewatin-LePas)

    On that note, two of the articles re what Bishop Raymond Lahey trucks around with him when he’s on the road…

    HALIFAX, N.S. – Search warrants says Ottawa police discovered hundreds of pictures and videos on Bishop Raymond Lahey’s laptop computer, with many showing young males involved in sexual acts.

    Yahoo News

    By Canadian Press

    Police found hundreds of videos, photos of young males on bishop’s laptop

    The claims are contained in requests filed by Nova Scotia RCMP last week and released Friday to search Lahey’s residences and office in Sydney and Antigonish.

    CAUTION TO READERS : This story contains graphic content . Some readers may be offended.

    The search warrants say Ottawa police found 964 files in a folder called “downloads” along with 33 videos when they seized Lahey’s computer at the Ottawa airport on Sept. 15 as he returned from the United Kingdom.

    Many showed what police believe to be teenage boys engaged in masturbation and other sex acts, the documents allege.

    The search warrants also state that Lahey said he chatted online and that the conversations were sexual in nature, but he believed the people involved were adults.

    The documents allege Lahey, who has been charged with importing and possessing child pornography, also told Ottawa police he would never abuse a child or take advantage of a minor.

    The search warrants contain allegations not proven in court.

    Lahey was charged on Sept. 25 and is scheduled to appear in court on the charges on Nov. 4.

    He resigned last month as bishop of the diocese of Antigonish shortly before the charges became public.

    Earlier this year Lahey helped broker a $15-million settlement for parishioners who claimed to have been sexually abused by priests in the area dating back to 1950.

    Lahey was not implicated in the case and had been in the diocese for only the last six years

    …………………
    Lahey laptop had hundreds of porn files: document

    Last Updated: Friday, October 16, 2009 | 5:33 PM ET

    CBC News

    A search warrant document says Ottawa police found a folder on Bishop Raymond Lahey’s laptop computer containing 964 files and 33 videos, with many showing what police believe are young males involved in sexual acts.

    Nova Scotia RCMP used the information to apply for a search warrant for Lahey’s former residence in Sydney. That warrant was executed on Wednesday and one computer was seized.

    Lahey is facing charges of importing and possessing child pornography. He is staying at a priest’s residence run by the archdiocese of Ottawa until his next court date on Nov. 4.

    In addition to descriptions of sexually explicit images, the document contains a detailed account of what Lahey told investigators with the Canada Border Services Agency when he was detained at the Ottawa International Airport on Sept. 15. He was charged 10 days later.

    According to the document, Lahey told investigators he used MSN messenger to chat with other people and that the conversations were “often sexual in nature.” He said he believed the people he chatted with were adults.

    The search warrant document also said Lahey told officers he would never have any sexual interest in a person under the age of 18 and had “no time” for child exploitation or child pornography.

    Lahey said he does not know much about computers, but used them to write emails and write articles related to his work, according to investigators.

  49. Sylvia says:

    So, Bishop Lahey is on one hand “attracted” to males age 20 to 21, on the other would never have any sexual interest in a person under 18, and on yet another hand lugs around pornographic pictures of little boys as young as eight.

    No doubt there will be some interesting and enlightening explanations for all these little discrepancies regarding the bishop’s sexual proclivities in the offing.

    And with that another enlightening article from CP…

    Police found hundreds of videos, photos of young males on bishop’s laptop

    Canadian Press

    16 October 2009

    By Alison Auld (CP) –

    HALIFAX, N.S. — Police allege they found hundreds of files and dozens of videos on Bishop Raymond Lahey’s laptop, with many showing young males engaged in various sex acts, in search warrants used by the RCMP to obtain more electronic devices from his residences and office in Nova Scotia.

    The warrants, executed by Nova Scotia RCMP last week and released Friday, cite information compiled by Ottawa police after they seized Lahey’s laptop at the city’s airport on Sept. 15 as he returned from the United Kingdom.

    The documents say Ottawa police viewed an unspecified number of the 964 files in a folder called “downloads,” and 33 videos Lahey had on his portable computer, many of them featuring young males masturbating and performing other sex acts.

    “Most of the images and videos of concern viewed involved males who appeared to be teenage boys, who could possibly be 18 years old, even though some … (have) very young facial features and were very young looking,” says the warrant to search Lahey’s apartment in Sydney, N.S.

    But the warrants also say some images show boys as young as eight, and others aged 10 to 12 exposing themselves.

    Lahey was charged with possessing and importing child pornography on Sept. 25 after he was detained and questioned by Canada Border Services Agency officials at the airport more than a week earlier.

    None of the allegations made in the search warrants have been proven in court. Lahey is scheduled to make a court appearance on the charges he face on Nov. 4.

    Border officials flagged Lahey because he was a man travelling alone and his passport showed several trips to Southeast Asia, Germany, Spain and other areas known for child pornography, the court documents say.

    An Ottawa police spokesman couldn’t say how many of the 964 files were images because the search warrants were executed by the RCMP as part of their investigation.

    But Const. J.P. Vincelette said, “in general terms, when computer files are searched, all files are searched.”

    Lahey, who stepped down as bishop of the Antigonish diocese a day after the charges were filed, also told Ottawa police on Sept. 15 that he “had no time for child exploitation, no time for child pornography,” according to one warrant.

    In the warrant, he is alleged to have told one officer that he was attracted to young men, aged 20 or 21, and that he had never done anything abusive to a child and would “never have any sexual interest in a person under 18.”

    Ottawa police claim to have found several images of boys as young as eight years old engaged in various sexual acts on some of Lahey’s devices, which included the laptop, a personal digital assistant and other electronic storage devices.

    It is alleged in the warrants that one seized image shows a boy of about eight or 10, naked and on a bench. The documents assert that others show boys aged 10 to 12 exposing themselves, with one wearing black and white rosary beads and frowning as he sits on an office chair.

    The two search warrants were used to seize more devices from Lahey’s apartment in Sydney and his office and home in Antigonish, where he served as bishop for the past six years.

    The warrant for his home in Antigonish states that officers seized two cellphones, cassette tapes, cameras, CDs and DVDs, and two computers, while they recovered one computer from his Sydney apartment.

    One of the search warrants says the diocese had purchased four computers for the 69-year-old bishop since August 2003. But Lahey told Ottawa police the seized laptop was his, not the church’s.

    One of warrants alleges that Lahey told an Ottawa police detective on Oct. 1 that he did not have a computer in his residence in Antigonish.

    The warrant says Lahey told police when he was in Antigonish he would “either use his laptop computer or the computer at the bishop’s office, which was also used by the office staff.”

    It says the housekeeper for the diocese recalls seeing two desktop computers in the bishop’s residence in Antigonish and that they were there on Sept. 22, the most recent occasion that she was in the house.

    The documents allege that Lahey used MSN to chat with people he meets online and that the conversations were often sexual in nature, but he thought the people involved were adults.

    One document also says the RCMP officer seeking the search warrant interviewed Shane Earle, a Newfoundland man who alleges he saw a catalogue of child pornographic images in Lahey’s bedroom when he was a priest in St. John’s in the mid-1980s.

    In the search warrant, it is alleged Earle told the officer last week that “the images were of boys not older than 13 years old and that in some of the images the boys were sexually aroused.”

    Earle has said in an interview that he told police in Newfoundland about the incident a few years after it is alleged to have occurred. His claims prompted police there to review their files, but they say they have not found any record of it.

    The devices seized in Nova Scotia will be examined by a special forensic unit based in Halifax.

  50. Sylvia says:

    And according to one warrant Lahey told officers on Sept. 15 that he “had no time for child exploitation, no time for child pornography.”

    Right!

    Is that just a little white episcopal lie? Or is it a blatant outright lie?

    Or, well, did Bishop Lahey deem that those pictures of naked little boys he was lugging around were part of his new liturgy?

    Or, well, was Perry Dunlop really hanging around the Ottawa airport somewhere?

    Too too much. Too much. I’ll say one thing – Lahey is doing a grand job of digging himself in good and deep. Edelson has his work cut out for him.

    ……………

    Hundreds of videos, pics found on bishop’s laptop

    The Canadian Press

    Date: Fri. Oct. 16 2009 5:35 PM ET

    HALIFAX — Police allege they found hundreds of files and dozens of videos on Bishop Raymond Lahey’s laptop, with many showing young males engaged in various sex acts, in search warrants used by the RCMP to obtain more electronic devices from his residences and office in Nova Scotia.

    The warrants, executed by Nova Scotia RCMP last week and released Friday, cite information compiled by Ottawa police after they seized Lahey’s laptop at the city’s airport on Sept. 15 as he returned from the United Kingdom.

    The documents say Ottawa police viewed an unspecified number of the 964 files in a folder called “downloads,” and 33 videos Lahey had on his portable computer, many of them featuring young males masturbating and performing other sex acts.

    “Most of the images and videos of concern viewed involved males who appeared to be teenage boys, who could possibly be 18 years old, even though some … (have) very young facial features and were very young looking,” says the warrant to search Lahey’s apartment in Sydney, N.S.

    But the warrants also say some images show boys as young as eight, and others aged 10 to 12 exposing themselves.

    Lahey was charged with possessing and importing child pornography on Sept. 25 after he was detained and questioned by Canada Border Services Agency officials at the airport more than a week earlier.

    None of the allegations made in the search warrants have been proven in court. Lahey is scheduled to make a court appearance on the charges he face on Nov. 4.

    Border officials flagged Lahey because he was a man travelling alone and his passport showed several trips to Southeast Asia, Germany, Spain and other areas known for child pornography, the court documents say.

    An Ottawa police spokesman couldn’t say how many of the 964 files were images because the search warrants were executed by the RCMP as part of their investigation.

    But Const. J.P. Vincelette said, “in general terms, when computer files are searched, all files are searched.”

    Lahey, who stepped down as bishop of the Antigonish diocese a day after the charges were filed, also told Ottawa police on Sept. 15 that he “had no time for child exploitation, no time for child pornography,” according to one warrant.

    In the warrant, he is alleged to have told one officer that he was attracted to young men, aged 20 or 21, and that he had never done anything abusive to a child and would “never have any sexual interest in a person under 18.”

    Ottawa police claim to have found several images of boys as young as eight years old engaged in various sexual acts on some of Lahey’s devices, which included the laptop, a personal digital assistant and other electronic storage devices.

    It is alleged in the warrants that one seized image shows a boy of about eight or 10, naked and on a bench. The documents assert that others show boys aged 10 to 12 exposing themselves, with one wearing black and white rosary beads and frowning as he sits on an office chair.

    The two search warrants were used to seize more devices from Lahey’s apartment in Sydney and his office and home in Antigonish, where he served as bishop for the past six years.

    The warrant for his home in Antigonish states that officers seized two cellphones, cassette tapes, cameras, CDs and DVDs, and two computers, while they recovered one computer from his Sydney apartment.

    One of the search warrants says the diocese had purchased four computers for the 69-year-old bishop since August 2003. But Lahey told Ottawa police the seized laptop was his, not the church’s.

    One of warrants alleges that Lahey told an Ottawa police detective on Oct. 1 that he did not have a computer in his residence in Antigonish.

    The warrant says Lahey told police when he was in Antigonish he would “either use his laptop computer or the computer at the bishop’s office, which was also used by the office staff.”

    It says the housekeeper for the diocese recalls seeing two desktop computers in the bishop’s residence in Antigonish and that they were there on Sept. 22, the most recent occasion that she was in the house.

    The documents allege that Lahey used MSN to chat with people he meets online and that the conversations were often sexual in nature, but he thought the people involved were adults.

    One document also says the RCMP officer seeking the search warrant interviewed Shane Earle, a Newfoundland man who alleges he saw a catalogue of child pornographic images in Lahey’s bedroom when he was a priest in St. John’s in the mid-1980s.

    In the search warrant, it is alleged Earle told the officer last week that “the images were of boys not older than 13 years old and that in some of the images the boys were sexually aroused.”

    Earle has said in an interview that he told police in Newfoundland about the incident a few years after it is alleged to have occurred. His claims prompted police there to review their files, but they say they have not found any record of it.

    The devices seized in Nova Scotia will be examined by a special forensic unit based in Halifax.

  51. RealityChecker says:

    Hey Slyvia – that’s a good one!!!
    Perry was hanging out at the airport and planted the kiddie porn on the good Bishop’s laptop!!!

    No one is seriously concidering that one – are they???

    THEY CANNOT RATIONALLY DEMONIZE PERRY ANY LONGER!!!

    PERRY WAS RIGHT FROM DAY 1 AND THEY KNOW IT!!!

    A MASSIVE MASSIVE COVER-UP!

  52. Sylvia says:

    You’re right RealityChecker – unless they could get away with claiming that Perry bilocates he’s probably safe on this one 🙂

    Have you happened on the actual search warrant yet for this latest search in Nova Scotia? I’ve been looking and so far no luck. If you happen on it will you post the link so we can all read it verbatim?

  53. RealityChecker says:

    The BEST comment I’ve seen posted yet…(CBC)

    “I hope he has information that will lead to the capture of others involved in this sordid pasttime.”

    Does anyone really believe Lahey was in this alone???

    Confiscated: one video camera
    two cell phones
    two MP3 players
    11 CDs/DVDs
    one file folder containing 87 pages of computer printouts pertaining to domain name registrations

    Oh – me thinks – there’s a few people fretting up in Ottawa with this investigation!!!

    We shall see….

  54. RealityChecker says:

    Oh wait – they’re all in Cornwall this weekend – aren’t they???

    Is the plenary over???

  55. Sylvia says:

    The plenary is this coming week. In Cornwall.

    I wonder if the week’s schedule will be amended to discuss other pressing issues …such as what to do when one of their own is caught red handed with a stash of kiddie porn? and/or what do when one of their own says he is attracted to males aged 20 to 21? and/or what to do to pacify the suddenly less than passive masses? and/or how to help Bishop Raymond Lahey wile away the hours in his Kilborn apartment without being spotted?

    Rest assured there will be lots of tongue wagging going on behind closed doors to come up with a unified message.

    I’m posting below the notice re the plenary which is on the CCCB website. I see that one of their keynote speakers is Dr. Richard R. Gaillardez. I know very little about Gaillardez but do know that he felt the U.S. bishops exhibited “a horrible moral failure” in advocating a policy of zero tolerance re clercial sexual abuse. I gather that that means he is not an advocate of zero tolerance?

    I also see that according to the CCCB website there has been criticism regarding the bishop’s pick of Gaillardez – I’ve posted part of the posting below as well. I checked about and the referenced blog site is SOCO or Bust – it can be accessed here: http://www.socon.ca/or_bust/?p=2984

    From the little I have read it looks to me as though Gaillardez would indeed be classified as a dissident – but, nothing new for the CCCB to court dissidents.

    Here are the posts from the CCCB website
    …………………..

    The Bishops of Canada to hold their Plenary Assembly, 19-23 October

    CCCB website

    16 October 2009
    (CCCB – Ottawa)… The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) will hold its annual Plenary Assembly, 19 – 23 October 2009, at the Nav Canada Centre, Cornwall, Ontario. About 90 Bishops will be present to review pastoral activities of the past year and to discuss important questions and issues. They will also elect a new Permanent Council as the two-year terms of its current members have ended, including that of CCCB President Most Reverend V. James Weisgerber, Archbishop of Winnipeg.
    In addition to reviewing the work carried out over the past year by CCCB councils, commissions and committees, the Bishops will discuss a number of pastoral issues.

    In keeping with the Year of the Priest announced by Pope Benedict XVI, American theologian Dr. Richard R. Gaillardetz, Murray/Bacik Professor of Catholic Studies at the University of Toledo in Ohio, will deliver two presentations: on the impact of the Second Vatican Council on the priesthood and its reality today, and on the relationship between the ministerial priesthood and the priesthood of the baptized.

    Other issues to be discussed during the working sessions include Catholic identity in the public sphere, Catholic-Anglican relations, the role of Bishops in life issues, and the pastoral response to the poverty afflicting a growing number of Canadians.

    Lastly, the agenda will also include an update on the collaboration of Development and Peace with its numerous partners throughout the world, as well as on development projects funded by this organization that the Bishops of Canada founded in 1967.

    ………..
    Professor Richard R. Gaillardetz responds to attacks

    CCCB website

    01 October 2009

    Well-known and award-winning Catholic author and theologian Richard R. Gaillardetz has responded to attacks circulating on a blog about his having been invited by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to give two major presentations on the priesthood at the October 2009 meeting of the CCCB Plenary Assembly. The blog questions whether Professor Gaillardetz is faithful to the doctrine of the Church.

    In a letter addressed to CCCB President Archbishop V. James Weisgerber, Professor Gaillardetz affirms his standing as a Catholic theologian who “fully embraces the teaching office of pope and bishops.”

  56. Sylvia says:

    A naked boy with two rosaries draped around his neck! What demented sexual pervert thought that one up as a titillating pose?

    Another picture of a sad-looking little lad with welts and possibly bruises on his body!

    On a bishop’s laptop!!

    Such outright unmitigated depravity.

    Those poor poor little boys – I do hope they can be found, and I do hope and pray that they are not afraid to talk.
    …………..

    Warrants detail images on bishop’s computer
    Documents say some naked boys appear younger than 12

    Halifax Chronicle Herald

    By EVA HOARE Staff Reporter
    Sat. Oct 17 – 4:46 AM

    Raymond Lahey (CP)

    ELECTRONIC GEAR SEIZED
    Some items confiscated from Bishop Lahey’s residences:

    •HP Pavilion computer

    •HP desktop computer

    •D-Link USB wireless network card

    •8-mm video camera

    •Four 8-mm videocassette tapes

    •Case with 11 CDs/DVDs

    •Ricoh 35-mm camera

    •Vodafone cellphone

    •Nokia cellphone with SIM card

    •SanDisk MP3 player

    •MPIO MP3 player

    •Four audio cassette tapes

    •87 pages of computer printouts on domain name registrations

    An image of a naked boy wearing only rosary beads was among those found on Bishop Raymond Lahey’s laptop computer, a search warrant has revealed.

    The RCMP’s child exploitation unit obtained the warrant in order to search the bishop’s home in Antigonish and his apartment in Sydney. The document sheds more light on what Canada Border Services Agency officers found on the bishop’s computer after it was seized at the Ottawa airport on Sept. 15 as he was returning to Canada from overseas.

    Bishop Lahey, 69, was charged Sept. 25 with possessing and importing child pornography. He resigned as bishop of the Antigonish diocese the next day.

    Court papers state that the image of the “young, naked male” showed him wearing only “a set of black rosary and a set of white rosary beads around his neck.” The boy appears to be nine to 12 years old, court papers say.

    A number of other images of young boys were found on the bishop’s laptop, the documents say, and videos show “young males engaged in sexual acts.”

    One image allegedly depicts a young naked male who appears to be “hurt, as there are red welts and marks on his stomach and chest area.”

    “He looks sad in this image,” the documents say.

    The search warrant also alleges the bishop used the MSN Messenger service on the Internet to have sex-related chats with people he met online and “that the conversations are often sexual in nature.” But the bishop told police he believed to the “best of his knowledge” that all the people involved in the talks were adults.

    The RCMP say the images were found on his laptop in a folder called Downloads that contained 964 files. There were 33 videos in another folder, the court papers say.

    None of the information supplied in the warrants and supporting paperwork has been proven in court.

    The documents also state that on Oct. 9, the RCMP interviewed Shane Earle, who once lived at the Mount Cashel orphanage in St. John’s, N.L.

    Mr. Earle, whose treatment at the orphanage in his teens led to a public inquiry, has said he saw child pornography at Bishop Lahey’s home in the 1980s when the clergyman was still living in his native Newfoundland.

    Mr. Earle told police last week that he had spent some weekends and holidays at Bishop Lahey’s home in Mount Pearl, N.L., while he was a resident of the orphanage. He alleges he saw a “catalogue containing images of child pornography” during one of his stays at the bishop’s place.

    “The images were of boys not older than 13 years old and that in some images the boys were sexually aroused,” Mr. Earle told the RCMP.

    Church officials in Newfoundland acknowledged before Mr. Earle’s Oct. 9 interview with the RCMP that little was done to help him in the ’80s after he told them what he had allegedly seen in Bishop Lahey’s quarters.

    Last month, during the bishop’s conversation with a Canada Border Services Agency officer at the Ottawa airport, he indicated that “he had no time for child exploitation, no time for child pornography,” the warrant states.

    He said he had a computer at home and that it had the LimeWire file-sharing system installed, the documents say. LimeWire was not on his laptop, however.

    On Tuesday, the RCMP carried out two searches in Antigonish, at Bishop Lahey’s residence and at his office, and one in Sydney, at Apt. 7 at 29 Xavier Dr., believed to be a home for retired priests.

    They confiscated two computers in the Antigonish searches, and a lawyer for the Antigonish diocese told them that there had been a computer in the bishop’s apartment in Sydney, according to the search warrant.

    Police were also told that the diocese had bought four computers for the bishop since August 2003, the court papers state.

    Bishop Lahey told police in an Oct. 1 interview that he didn’t have a computer at his Antigonish home and he would use his laptop or a computer that office staff also used, the court papers state. But a housekeeper said she had seen two desktop computers there as recently as Sept. 22.

    The bishop is free on bail and staying in Ottawa pending his next court appearance there on Nov. 4.

    ( ehoare@herald.ca)

  57. Sylvia says:

    See the article below.

    Damage control. Coral the troubled masses..

    Since the agency is retained by the diocese it is therefore no doubt answerable to the same, and all info obtained during counselling sessions will no doubt be channelled right back into the diocese.

    I wonder if there is a duty to report any and all allegations of child sexual abuse to police? Does anyone know?

    And what about kiddie porn? Would there be a duty to report “alleged” sightings of kiddie porn?
    …………………………………………….

    Lahey charges prompt free counselling for N.S. CatholicsLast Updated: Saturday, October 17, 2009 | 1:18 PM AT
    CBC News

    A family counselling organization founded by the Roman Catholic Church is offering free services to parishioners of the Antigonish diocese in the wake of child pornography charges against their retired bishop.

    Former bishop Raymond Lahey, who helped negotiate a landmark deal for children who were sexually abused by priests, was charged with importing and possessing child pornography on Sept. 25 after being detained by border officials 10 days earlier at the Ottawa International Airport.

    Earlier this week, police in Nova Scotia executed search warrants at Lahey’s homes and office, looking for pornographic images on computers he used.

    On Saturday, Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia had an ad in Halifax’s Chronicle Herald newspaper offering free counselling to individuals or entire parish communities struggling to cope with what it called “past or recent victimization issues.”

    According to the ad, the organization has been hired by the Antigonish diocese to provide the service.

    The non-profit group was founded in 1969, but traces its roots back to the 1930s, during the Great Depression, when churches set up counselling and assistance programs for people.

    Lahey is staying at a priest’s residence run by the archdiocese of Ottawa until his next court appearance there on Nov. 4.

    RCMP and the provincial child internet exploitation unit executed a search warrant at Lahey’s residence in Sydney, N.S., on Wednesday. One computer was seized.

    Investigators also executed search warrants at Lahey’s former home and office in Antigonish on Tuesday. Two computers and some external media devices were seized.

  58. wildone says:

    (Bishop Paul Andre Durocher letter in the Cornwall Standard Freeholder 03 October 2009)

    I imagine most readers of this newspaper have been shocked and scandalized at the news that a Canadian bishop has been charged with possession of child pornography. I share their shock. I also feel a great sense of shame that a fellow bishop can have been involved in such a horrible activity.

    The seriousness of the charge and the immediate resignation of the accused shakes our confidence in his presumed innocence. It also undermines our trust in all persons in positions of authority, including those who, like Bishop Lahey, have used their authority positively to heal breaches with past victims of clergy sexual abuse. In the face of such paradoxical behaviour, I can only shake my head in bewilderment and sorrow.

    I cannot understand what would lead a person to be interested in pornography involving children.

    All pornography is demeaning, but that involving children is even more so, since it requires that children be abused in its production. Unfortunately, anyone with an Internet connection can easily access this mate-rial. It has become a scourge in our society, one which needs to be combated as courageously as possible.

    My heart goes out to all those who have been deeply shaken by this revelation. My prayers are offered for all of us.

    May we respond with an even greater awareness of our weaknesses, a greater commitment to care for our children, a greater engagement in building a society where such horrors do not happen.

    Paul-André Durocher

    Bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall

    ———————————————————–

    I have been reading and re-reading this letter to the editor that our friendly Bishop Durocher sent in to the Standard Freeholder on October 2nd….Questions?????

    -Is he shocked that a Bishop has been CHARGED?
    -“Involved in such a horrible activity”…..meaning what?….getting arrested?
    -“Used their authority to heal breaches with past victims”…….HE threw money at them. 30 pieces of silver did not work then…it will not work now!!!!
    -“Paradoxical behaviour”….HE is sitting on a mountain of evidence of paradoxical behaviour…is this considered paradoxical?

    The message from there then becomes generic…….as much to say that ANYONE can do it, we ALL have access to these sites. BUT he will pray for us!!!! Let the PREYING stop and our prayers will be answered!!!

    John Mac Donald

  59. RealityChecker says:

    Hey Sylvia maybe (ex- priest and molester) Don Grecco can move down east and offer counselling services – after all – that’s what he now does for a living!

  60. wildone says:

    Why did I not think of that Reality Checker….it could be a family reunion with his brother now a Bishop on the East Coast……so sweet of you to always put family in front!!!!!!

  61. RealityChecker says:

    ….I think these ones are “behind” – John. 🙂

  62. Sylvia says:

    Ah, yes RealityChecket! Ex priest and “alleged” molester Don Grecco the counsellor! Makes you wonder who a vicitm can trust these days, doesn’t it?

    Good questions and comments re Bishop Durocher’s letter John. I think the shock is that Lahey was caught! And further shock that word is out that a few powers that be have known of Lahey’s proclivites for over 20 years and watched in silence as the man masqueraded as a man of God.

    One more comment on this. Durocher says:

    “May we respond with an even greater awareness of our weaknesses, a greater commitment to care for our children, a greater engagement in building a society where such horrors do not happen.”

    Christ’s ultimate condemnation went to those who harm a child – “better that a millstone be hanged around his neck.” Nothing from Christ about “our weaknesses.” While it is true that we do all have weaknesses, there are weaknesses and there are weaknesses. We do not all molest and/or sexually abuse children. Nor do we all delight in images culled from those who do. In fact I think it is fair to say that the average person is totally repulsed by the very notion of child sexual abuse and/or its images.

    As for a commitment to build a society where such “horrors” don’t happen I would personally prefer Durocher and his fellow bishops give us a commitment to purge the Roman Catholic church of clergy who engage in such despicable and deviant acts. Let’s start there and see what happens. Get those deviants out of the priestood -all of them. Clean house.

    “Weakness?” Let those who exhibit signs of this so called “weakness” spend the rest of their days making amends to God for the damage they have done – and let them do so as laymen – with millstones around their necks. That would truly show a greater commitment on the part of Bishop Durocher “to care for our children.”

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