Raymond Lahey
Encyclopedia
Raymond John Lahey B.Th.
L.Th.
Ph.D.
D.D.
(born May 29, 1940) 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 images of concern on his laptop.
on May 29, 1940. He attended St. Paul University
at the University of Ottawa
, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Theology
in 1961, a Licentiate in Theology
(L.Th.) in 1963 and Doctor of Philosophy
(Ph.D.) (magna cum laude) in 1966.
He was ordained in 1963.
by diocese priests dating to 1950. The settlement was approved by the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on September 10, 2009.
On September 15, 2009, Lahey returned to Canada from a trip to Europe, arriving at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
. Canada Border Services Agency
officers performed a random search of a laptop computer carried by Lahey and allegedly uncovered "images . . . that were of concern." Lahey was allowed to return to Nova Scotia; however, the computer was seized and the Ottawa Police Service
alleged that a subsequent forensic examination revealed child pornography. Lahey pleaded guilty to the charges on May 4, 2011. He requested imprisonment, surrendering his right to bail.
Bachelor of Theology
The Bachelor of Theology is a three to five year undergraduate degree in theological disciplines. Candidates for this degree typically must complete course work in Greek or Hebrew, as well as systematic theology, biblical theology, ethics, homiletics and Christian ministry...
L.Th.
Licentiate in Theology
The Licentiate of Theology or the Licence in Theology is a theological qualification commonly awarded for ordinands and laymen studying theology in the United Kingdom, Malta, Canada, Australia and New Zealand...
Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
D.D.
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
(born May 29, 1940) is Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Antigonish in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. 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 images of concern on his laptop.
Education
Lahey was born in St. John's, NLSt. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
on May 29, 1940. He attended St. Paul University
Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University is a Catholic Pontifical university federated with the University of Ottawa. It is located on Main Street in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and has been entrusted for more than a century to the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Theology
Bachelor of Theology
The Bachelor of Theology is a three to five year undergraduate degree in theological disciplines. Candidates for this degree typically must complete course work in Greek or Hebrew, as well as systematic theology, biblical theology, ethics, homiletics and Christian ministry...
in 1961, a Licentiate in Theology
Licentiate in Theology
The Licentiate of Theology or the Licence in Theology is a theological qualification commonly awarded for ordinands and laymen studying theology in the United Kingdom, Malta, Canada, Australia and New Zealand...
(L.Th.) in 1963 and Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(Ph.D.) (magna cum laude) in 1966.
He was ordained in 1963.
Career
Lahey's career saw him serve in a combination of clergical and academic positions in Newfoundland and Labrador, and most recently in Nova Scotia.- Administrator of Holy Cross Parish, Diocese of Grand FallsRoman Catholic Diocese of Grand FallsThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Falls is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Saint John's, Newfoundland. It was renamed as the Diocese of Harbour Grace-Grand Falls on 22 February 1958 then as the Diocese of Grand Falls on 30 Oct 1964...
, Holyrood, NLHolyrood, Newfoundland and LabradorHolyrood is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is in Division No. 1, on Conception Bay. During King William's War, the village was destroyed in the Avalon Peninsula Campaign.... - Pastor of St. Peter's Parish, Archdiocese of St. John'sRoman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John's, NewfoundlandThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John's is an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada....
, Mount Pearl, NL - Vicar General of the Archdiocese of St. John'sRoman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John's, NewfoundlandThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John's is an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada....
, St. John's, NLSt. John's, Newfoundland and LabradorSt. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St... - Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Memorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
, St. John's, NLSt. John's, Newfoundland and LabradorSt. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St... - Proctor of St. John's College, Memorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
, St. John's, NLSt. John's, Newfoundland and LabradorSt. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St... - Associate Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Memorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
, St. John's, NLSt. John's, Newfoundland and LabradorSt. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St... - Department Head, Department of Religious Studies, Memorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
, St. John's, NLSt. John's, Newfoundland and LabradorSt. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St... - Member of the Senate of Memorial University, Memorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
, St. John's, NLSt. John's, Newfoundland and LabradorSt. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St... - Member of the Provincial Religious Education Committee, Newfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
- Served on two Roman Catholic school boards, Newfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
- Served on the Belvedere Orphanage Trust, Newfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
- Vice-Chairman of the Roman Catholic 200th Anniversary Committee, Newfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
(included preparations for the 1984 Papal Visit by Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul IIBlessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
to the province) - Named Bishop of the Diocese of St. George'sRoman Catholic Diocese of Corner Brook and LabradorThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Saint John's, Newfoundland. It was re-erected as an apostolic vicariate on 28 April 1892 and as the Diocese of Saint George's on 18 February 1904...
on July 8, 1986. Ordained on August 3, 1986 in Corner Brook, NLCorner Brook, Newfoundland and LabradorCorner Brook is a city located on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada....
. - Named Bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish on April 5, 2003. Installed on June 12, 2003 in Antigonish, NSAntigonish, Nova ScotiaAntigonish is a Canadian town in Antigonish County, Nova Scotia. The town is home to St. Francis Xavier University and the oldest continuous highland games in North America.-History:...
. - Automatically became ChancellorChancellorChancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of St. Francis Xavier UniversitySt. Francis Xavier UniversitySt. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
on June 12, 2003. The office of Bishop of Antigonish has historically been linked to St. Francis Xavier University with the current bishop always serving as the university's chancellor. - Resigned from his position in September 2009 after child pornography was discovered on his laptop.
Academic contributions
- author of studies and articles on theology and church history
- contributor to the Dictionary of Canadian BiographyDictionary of Canadian BiographyThe Dictionary of Canadian Biography is a dictionary of biographical entries for individuals who have contributed to the history of Canada. The DCB, which was initiated in 1959, is a collaboration between the University of Toronto and Université Laval...
- member of several scholarly boards, including the American Academy of ReligionAmerican Academy of ReligionThe American Academy of Religion is the world's largest association of scholars in the field of religious studies and related topics. It is a nonprofit member association,...
Abuse scandal
On August 7, 2009, Lahey announced that the Diocese of Antigonish had reached a $15 million settlement in a class action lawsuit filed by victims of sexual abuseSexual abuse
Sexual 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...
by diocese priests dating to 1950. The settlement was approved by the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on September 10, 2009.
On September 15, 2009, Lahey returned to Canada from a trip to Europe, arriving at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport or Macdonald-Cartier International Airport , in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada is named after Sirs John A. Macdonald and George-Étienne Cartier...
. 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 performed a random search of a laptop computer carried by Lahey and allegedly uncovered "images . . . that were of concern." Lahey was allowed to return to Nova Scotia; however, the computer was seized and the Ottawa Police Service
Ottawa Police Service
The Ottawa Police Service serves the City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.-History:The OPS roots come from the formation of the "Bytown Association" in 1847. In 1855 Roderick Ross was the first Chief Constable for the newly formed City of Ottawa...
alleged that a subsequent forensic examination revealed child pornography. Lahey pleaded guilty to the charges on May 4, 2011. He requested imprisonment, surrendering his right to bail.
External links
- Notice of class action lawsuit settlement - September 10, 2009
- Letter from Archbishop Anthony Mancini to Diocese of Antigonish - September 26, 2009
- Letter from Bishop Raymond Lahey to Diocese of Antigonish - September 26, 2009
- Press release by Archbishop Anthony Mancini - September 30, 2009
- Press release by Archbishop Anthony Mancini - October 1, 2009