| Written by Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News,
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 Bishop Raymond Lahey
This off-the-record meeting of lawyers from both sides before a judge could lead either to a resolution of the case or launch the next step in the trial process.
Lahey did not appear for a scheduled court date Jan. 13. His next court date is set Feb. 3. Because the case is proceeding by way of indictment, he is not required to appear in court until his trial, as long as one of his lawyers is present.
The former Antigonish bishop, who was charged Sept. 25, has not yet made a plea.
“Without a plea, we’re treating it as if it is proceeding to trial,” said Assistant Crown Attorney David Elhadad, who is carrying the Lahey file.
Lahey’s court case is going through normal procedural steps, Elhadad said. The Crown has made full disclosure to the defence attorneys. “Everything has been provided, including the full forensic analysis,” he said.
Lahey was stopped at the Ottawa airport by a Canadian Border Services Agent Sept. 15. His laptop, cell phones and other electronic devices were seized. Ottawa police say they found hundreds of pornographic images and dozens of videos of young men engaged in sexual acts, including images of boys as young as eight to 10 on Lahey’s computer. Their information led RCMP in Nova Scotia to execute searches of Lahey’s offices and residences in Antigonish and Sydney on Oct. 13. They are still under review.
Lahey resigned his Antigonish See on Sept. 26 and has been staying at a residence for retired priests in Ottawa since mid-October. Weeks before charges were laid, Lahey had announced a $13-million settlement for victims of sexual abuse in Antigonish in cases ranging as far back as the 1950s. The settlement was widely praised for its sensitivity and pastoral concern for victims of abuse.
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Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News |
| About the author: |
| Deborah Waters Gyapong has been a journalist and novelist for more than 20 years. She has worked in print, radio and television, including 12 years as a producer for CBC TV's news and current affairs programming. She currently covers religion and politics primarily for Catholic and Evangelical newspapers.
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