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  Bishop Arrives in Troubled Times

By Laura Fraser
Chronicle-Herald
January 26, 2010

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1164375.html

CANADA -- As the eyes of the faithful turned toward Antigonish on Monday afternoon, New Waterford resident Albert Boudreau said the installation of a new bishop in the diocese will not wipe out the memories the parishioners hold of the last one.

The child pornography charges against Bishop Raymond Lahey shocked much of Nova Scotia because they came to light just weeks after he brokered a historic $15-million settlement for victims sexually abused by priests from the diocese.

Bishop Brian Dunn replaced him as head of the Diocese of Antigonish at a ceremonial mass Monday afternoon. He becomes the ninth bishop of the diocese.

"He was being installed today, but I think it's going to take a long while before people are happy (again) with the situation," Mr. Boudreau said. "They were very disappointed in what happened. I'm not too pleased about the whole situation."

While he expressed disappointment about the behaviour of those in the upper rungs of the Roman Catholic Church, Mr. Boudreau said he will continue to go to mass at the parish of St. Leonard in New Waterford.

He said he has tried to focus on his faith rather than on the allegations surrounding Bishop Lahey.

John Higgins said he cannot do the same.

"Oh, I lost my faith a long time ago," said the former Catholic and self-declared atheist.

Having a new person at the head of the diocese cannot change an ingrained problem, Mr. Higgins said.

He said the hundreds of cases of "indecency" surrounding the Catholic Church helped pollute his belief.

"Everybody knew about it, but nobody did nothing. Just let the priests get married and we'll see."

But Laurentia McLellan, 77, said she remains a devout Catholic. She can no longer attend mass as often as she used to but said she tries not to miss a communion.

Bishop Dunn's appointment marks a fresh start for the diocese and its parishioners, she said.

"Somebody different will have a different view. He'll know better."

Contact: lfraser@herald.ca

 
 

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