The Vatican condemned “sexual exploitation in all its forms” and
offered prayers for those affected by a Canadian bishop who recently
plead guilty to importing child pornography into the country.
“Recognizing the confusion and anger that this case has engendered
among many of the faithful, we underscore our pastoral concern for those
who have experienced great pain as a result of these events,”read a statement issued by the Vatican on May 5.
Bishop Raymond J. Lahey was jailed on May 4 immediately after pleading guilty to importing child pornography.
Bishop Lahey, 70, formerly led the Diocese of Antigonish, Nova Scotia
and was arrested in 2009 after Ottowa airport workers found him in
possession of child pornography as he reentered the country from a trip
abroad.
The bishop's lawyer informed the court on Wednesday that he wanted to
give up his right to bail and be directly imprisoned out of remorse for
his actions.
“The Catholic Church condemns sexual exploitation in all its forms,
especially when perpetrated against minors,” the Vatican said, noting
that in “a special way our thoughts and prayers are with the people of
the Diocese of Antigonish and all the Atlantic region.”
The Vatican statement added that although “the civil process has run
its course, the Holy See will continue to follow the canonical
procedures in effect for such cases, which will result in the imposition
of the appropriate disciplinary or penal measures.”
The Canadian bishops' conference also weighed in after the guilty
plea on May 4, echoing the Vatican's stance against sexual exploitation
and emphasizing that the conference “continues to work to prevent such
behavior and to bring healing to the victims and their
families.”
“We reiterate the Catholic Church’s long-standing condemnation of the
possession, distribution and use of child pornographic images in all
forms, and renew our resolve to do everything we can to promote the
dignity and respect of the human person,” the bishops said.