Child Porn Charges Loom in Background of Canadian Bishops’ Meeting
Child porn charges loom in background of Canadian bishops’ meeting CORNWALL, Ontario – As Canada’s bishops met for their annual meeting, the knowledge that one of their colleagues had been charged with child pornography loomed in the background. Giving his final president’s report, Archbishop V. James Weisgerber of Winnipeg, Manitoba, said the late-September charges against Bishop Raymond Lahey of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, were “especially painful, because of the seriousness of the charges and also because it involves a former member of our assembly, an episcopal colleague, a close associate and, for many of us, a friend.” The charges of possessing and importing child pornography merit thorough investigation by competent authorities, Archbishop Weisgerber told about 90 bishops Oct. 19 at the beginning of their weeklong meeting. He reminded them of the presumption of innocence until the charges are proven. “As bishops we are united in concern and prayer for each other and for all of those whose lives are impacted by the crime and sin of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse,” he said. “These include the victims and their families; the local community and society in general; the Christian community in a special way; and also the perpetrators, as well as anyone who has been accused, whether justly or unjustly.” He reaffirmed the bishops’ commitment to safeguarding against violations of human dignity in the priorities they agreed on 20 years ago, noting that their 1992 document, “From Pain to Hope,” continued to be an important pastoral resource. In a speech the same day, the outgoing Vatican ambassador to Canada, Archbishop Luigi Ventura, mentioned Bishop Lahey’s situation without naming him.
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