Famous for "compassion" to victims of priestly sex abuse: Bishop of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, released on bail to faces charges of possession of child pornography

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f .Catholic World News [Catholic Culture News Brief] (Catholic; Independent; American) 01 / 10 | October / 2009; Rorate Caeli (Traditional Catholic; Independent) 02 / 10 | October / 2009 )

Editorial / Article by Marc Aupiais

Bishop Raymond Lahey, who was formally the Bishop of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, was famous for his "compassion" to victims of priestly sexual abuse, having just last week settled a settlement of $13-million, for victims of priestly abuse conducted in his diocese. He then resigned amid much speculation, it only being discovered later that the Canadian police wanted him in connection with child porn allegedly found on his computer, ciezed in a routine operation: September 15 at Ottowa airport

Writing Yesterday, prior the Bishop's surrender to police, when an arrest warrant had been issued, Catholic World News, noted the response of a local Archbishop:

"Archbishop Anthony Mancini of Halifax, Nova Scotia’s leading prelate and now apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Antigonish, said that he had not known why Bishop Lahey had resigned and that he was “shocked, hurt because it impacts on me as a leader who was trying to do my job.”

“So, honestly, part of my concern is, is there anyone left that we can believe?” he said. “I think many will see this as something that will make the Church less credible than we are. It certainly reminds us all that if ever we thought that we had a perfect Church, we certainly don’t.” Archbishop Mancini, who says that he spoke recently with Bishop Lahey by cell phone, appealed to the bishop to surrender to police."

(Catholic World News [Catholic Culture News Brief] (Catholic; Independent; American) 01 / 10 | October / 2009 )

Widely read Traditional Catholic Blog, Rorate Caeli, may well form part of the many, now more skeptical of the Canadian church, claiming:

"The now famous former Bishop of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, was released on bail to faces charges of possession of child pornography. Look at the picture of the bishop surrounded by his lawyers: isn't he the perfect poster boy for the Church in Canada?"

(Rorate Caeli (Traditional Catholic; Independent) 02 / 10 | October / 2009)

And calling the alleged possessor of child pornography:

"The face of the Church in Canada"

(Rorate Caeli (Traditional Catholic; Independent) 02 / 10 | October / 2009)

In the past, a number of the Canadian Bishops, have been criticized for supporting an ex facto pro-abortion protest in Canada, and, earlier this year a number of popular Catholic news services, claimed that the Canadian Bishops' humanitarian organization, Development and Peace, has used funding collected in parishes to fund pro-abortion advocates. The subsequent investigation into accusations, which was done by Canadian Bishops, was "facilitated" by the very group they were investigating, and therefore was accused of ignoring principles of natural justice.

One opinion of how this could have happened, is that:

Possibly, having been so involved in investigations of abuse, the bishop himself became tempted to make use of child porn, which always degrades children.

This particular case, is certainly being treated as a shock.

Editorially:

I would disagree with Rorate Caeli, this is not the face of the Church in Canada, Jesus Christ is- but their opinion is one read throughout the world, and certainly is one which many may unfortunately feel after this case. At least there is not another cover up, as long as the church chooses to be transparent on these issues, and let justice take its course, and take a stand against the abuse of pastoral authority, these terrible wounds in the short term, will certainly be noted, but then they will heal, justice having been done, as in the past.

Much of what I have read, is treating this case as ironic, the justice system being involved, the accusations of cover-ups from the days of John Paul II's pontificate, seem largely a thing of the past, under Benedict XVI, even as there are still cover up accusations, those in North America, seem to have quieted down significantly. The handling of this case by the church, is certainly notable this time.

We must note, that everyone, in the eyes of modern western secular law: has a right to legal representation. Without the Bishop involved having lawyers, how valid would a guilty finding be? At present it is only alleged that he is guilty, it is up to the courts to decide the case (or am I biased because I am studying law?).

According to Catholic World News:

"Bishop Lahey, 69, was ordained Bishop of Saint George’s (Newfoundland) in 1986 and transferred to the Diocese of Antigonish in 2003."

(Catholic World News [Catholic Culture News Brief] (Catholic; Independent; American) 01 / 10 | October / 2009 )

Canada: North America: Development and Peace (Caritas Canada)/ Canadian bishops: Funding Abortionist groups in mexico: LifesiteNews

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. archive: 28th of September 2008; LifeSiteNews (Catholic; Independent; Canadian) 12 / 03 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

--Yesterday--2009: 12th day of March--Canada/Mexico--Church organization helps fund abortionist activists--

Those who were shocked when the Australian Government allegedly lifted a ban on giving taxpayers money to abortionistic groupings, will be more shocked to hear that those supporting abortion, and aiming to legitimize it in Mexico, are receiving money given to "Development and Peace" (Caritas Canada): in good conscience. Development and Peace: in the fundraising body of the Canadian Bishops' Conference.

Caritas' Canadian Arm: not only doesn't deny or dispute evidence, that it its supporting pro-abortionist groupings: who are attempting to widen the noose over Mexico: but further admits to having no policy on the issue of abortion: and it is not an issue as to funding an organization, as to whether or not they partake in the killing of unborn children: according to Caritas' Canadian Arm: "Development and peace": who have given money given in good conscience: to the cause of allowing widespread killing of unborn infants in Mexico, Latin America.

"Catholic" support of what the church sees as a Genocide against the rights of the unborn: is often pivotal to the success of abortionists in killing the unborn child. The money given to these organizations, and prestige of working with the church: undoubtedly allows them to donate more resources to legalizing the rip[ping apart, or burning to death of unborn babies.

That many of the worst agents in the world: of the so-called "Culture of Death", are church-going "Catholics" is not surprising. That An SSPX bishop is banned from many churches: while abortionists receive, and desecrate our lord and Savior, at Mass: is shocking and disgusting.

This is not the first time that Canada's Catholic Bishops have directly aided abortionists' agendas. Previously: the Canadian church supported a Canadian march: supporting abortion, and homosexual unions. The "Catholic Womens' League" leadership in Canada: also partook in such, via the same march (archive: 28th of September 2008).

In South Africa: "The Southern Cross", an organization partly owned by the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC): not only regularly attacks the Vatican: when secular news praises it: but has also been caught out fronting abortionist arguments, and supporting contraception, and gay priests.

Aiding abortion: is an activity: which very likely results in the automatic excommunication from the Catholic church: preventing absolution in confession: such spiritual excommunication: needs a special confession and absolution to be lifted.




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DRC- Congo- Kivu Region- Catholic Relief Services pulls two relif workers out of country. Only grass roots organizations like Caritas Internationalis still easily operate in wartorn region

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Catholic News Service 30/10/08; Caritas Internationalis 30/10/08; BBC World News (Secular) 29/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Catholic Relief Services has pulled two relief workers out of the DRC into neighboring Rwanda- due to unsafe conditions of operation, however they claim this is an isolated event, and not a general withdrawal. The Relief workers can't wait to get back to the CRS headquarters in the southern Congo, where the organization's efforts are based.

In recent days a UN peace-keeper helicopter was shot at, purportedly, if UN sources quoted by the BBC (29/10/08) are to be taken as accurate- not by rebels, but by Rwandan troops, and DRC troops have been noted as shooting across the border when they saw weapons fire. The BBC's representation- noted exchanges of fire. Rwanda denies involvement in the conflict. Rebels however claim to have a purpose of fighting Rwanda's own claimed rebels they claim to be in the Congo. We cannot verify any of these claims, by the Rebels.


Caritas Internationalis is appealing for an end to violence. After a recent cease fire called for by rebel forces, and a UN condemnation of rebel activities, as rebels have attacked UN troops- there was still the sounds of gunfire under the shadows of the dark African night.

Caritas Internationalis needs better conditions to ensure 16 000 persons who they are supplying with food necessities get this. Other organizations, including Catholic Relief Services, are appealing western governments to intervene diplomatically. Much of the important work on the ground, however- is still being done by Caritas Internationalis, whose use of local grassroots people has enabled them to continue operations where some other organizations have needed to reassess the aid they are giving. Both Catholic Relief Services, who are appealing for US diplomatic support, and Development and Peace (who are asking the Canadian government for intervention), plan to use Caritas Internationalis in order to supply needs in the Goma Region, where Caritas has structures still in place.

Sites of those mentioned for their aid of efforts:

Caritas Internationalis
Catholic Reflief Services
Development and Peace