Sexual abuse scandal in Antigonish diocese
Encyclopedia
The sexual abuse scandal in Antigonish diocese
relates to allegations of sexual abuse connected to the Roman Catholic clergy that occurred in the Canadian diocese of Antigonish.
announced that the Diocese of Antigonish had reached a $15 million settlement in a class action lawsuit filed by victims of sexual abuse by diocese priests dating to 1950. The settlement was approved by the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on September 10, 2009.
's laptop was seized upon his return to Canada, after having visited parts of Europe. Canada Border Services Agency
officers had performed a random search of his computer, uncovering images that raised concerns. Following an investigation Lahey was charged with the importation and possession of child pornography, and he subsequently tendered his resignation as Bishop for the Diocese. Lahey is alleged to have responded to the allegations by stating that he had never abused a child, and that he would "never have any sexual interest in a person under 18".
Subsequent to his arrest, allegations emerged that Lahey had previously been brought to the attention of former St. John’s archbishop Alphonsus Liguori Penney
in regard to child pornography allegations in the 1980's.
On November 21, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI
named Bishop Brian Joseph Dunn
as the Bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish. Archbishop Mancini served as Apostolic Administrator until Bishop Dunn's installation on January 25, 2010.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish is a Latin Rite diocese in Nova Scotia, Canada covering the counties of Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough, Inverness, Victoria, Richmond and Cape Breton. It had previously existed under the name of the diocese of Arichat....
relates to allegations of sexual abuse connected to the Roman Catholic clergy that occurred in the Canadian diocese of Antigonish.
Reaching settlements for old 1950s cases
On August 7, 2009, Bishop Raymond LaheyRaymond Lahey
Raymond John Lahey B.Th. L.Th. Ph.D. D.D. is Roman Catholic Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Antigonish in Nova Scotia. Lahey resigned from his position at the Catholic Church after being charged with possession of child pornography when members of the Canada Border Services Agency discovered...
announced that the Diocese of Antigonish had reached a $15 million settlement in a class action lawsuit filed by victims of sexual abuse by diocese priests dating to 1950. The settlement was approved by the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on September 10, 2009.
Allegations against Bishop Raymond Lahey
In September, 2009, Bishop Raymond LaheyRaymond Lahey
Raymond John Lahey B.Th. L.Th. Ph.D. D.D. is Roman Catholic Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Antigonish in Nova Scotia. Lahey resigned from his position at the Catholic Church after being charged with possession of child pornography when members of the Canada Border Services Agency discovered...
's laptop was seized upon his return to Canada, after having visited parts of Europe. Canada Border Services Agency
Canada Border Services Agency
The Canada Border Services Agency is a federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for border enforcement, immigration enforcement and customs services....
officers had performed a random search of his computer, uncovering images that raised concerns. Following an investigation Lahey was charged with the importation and possession of child pornography, and he subsequently tendered his resignation as Bishop for the Diocese. Lahey is alleged to have responded to the allegations by stating that he had never abused a child, and that he would "never have any sexual interest in a person under 18".
Subsequent to his arrest, allegations emerged that Lahey had previously been brought to the attention of former St. John’s archbishop Alphonsus Liguori Penney
Alphonsus Liguori Penney
Archbishop Alphonsus Liguori Penney is a Canadian Roman Catholic priest who was Archbishop of St.John's from 1979-1991.-Sexual abuse scandal:...
in regard to child pornography allegations in the 1980's.
On November 21, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
named Bishop Brian Joseph Dunn
Brian Joseph Dunn
Brian Joseph Dunn is the current Roman Catholic Bishop of Antigonish.Born in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Dunn was raised in the mining community of Buchans where he attended primary and elementary school before moving to the fishing community of Harbour Grace where he attended secondary...
as the Bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish. Archbishop Mancini served as Apostolic Administrator until Bishop Dunn's installation on January 25, 2010.
See also
- AbuseAbuseAbuse is the improper usage or treatment for a bad purpose, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, sexual assault, violation, rape, unjust practices; wrongful practice or custom; offense; crime, or otherwise...
- Child abuseChild abuseChild abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Children And Families define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or...
- Child sexual abuseChild sexual abuseChild sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
- Religious abuse
- Sexual abuseSexual abuseSexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
- Sexual misconductSexual misconductSexual misconduct is misconduct of a sexual nature. The term may be used to condemn an act, but in some jurisdictions it has also a legal meaning....
- Spiritual abuseSpiritual abuseSpiritual abuse is a serious form of abuse which occurs when a person in a cult-religious authority or a person with a unique spiritual practice misleads and maltreats another person in the name of a deityor church or in the mystery of any spiritual concept...