CHRISTIAN BISHOP CHARGED WITH CHILD PORN CRIMES, RESIGNS, NEW BISHOP HESITANT TO TAKE OVER
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'And then I look at the Diocese of Antigonish -- I see large legal
settlements, money issues,' Bishop Brian Dunn tells the Post
By Chris Shannon
Cape Breton Post
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sydney - Newly installed Bishop Brian Dunn of the Diocese of
Antigonish was busy fielding questions from the media Thursday as he
wound down his first official trip to Cape Breton as bishop. Dunn,
55, originally from Buchans, N.L., left a position as an auxiliary
bishop in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. after only one year to oversee the
troubled Antigonish diocese.
It was a daunting task that even he wasn't sure he wanted to take on,
Dunn said in a sit-down interview with the Cape Breton Post. He had
doubts about accepting a new posting after spending only one year in
Sault Ste. Marie.
"It seemed to me too early to leave," Dunn said during an interview
at his Sydney home.
"I didn't think I had enough experience as a bishop, I didn't have
what it would take. And then I look at the Diocese of Antigonish -- I
see large legal settlements, money issues. All of those are kind of
totally new experiences for me."
He was approached by the diocese in late September to take over from
Bishop Raymond Lahey, who had resigned his post and was subsequently
charged with child pornography offences. Lahey's case is still before
the courts.
Dunn has been briefed on some parts of the estimated $18.5-million
settlement agreement reached last August between the diocese and a
class action launched by Sydney resident Ron Martin to compensate
victims of sexual abuse from 1950 to the present.
Despite several people who have opted out of the agreement to pursue
their own claims, the diocese has decided to continue working toward
compensating abuse victims.
Dunn admitted he isn't yet aware of all issues surrounding the
historic agreement, but said it's important to continue the process
to heal past wrongs in the church.
He said he believes Catholic Church wisely chose to see the process
through to the end.
"This is a very good way to help people be healed quickly."
So far, Dunn hasn't been able to speak with Martin in person. A
service of reconciliation, which has been favoured by Martin, is
still a concept, Dunn said.
Parishes across the diocese will have to hand over assets accumulated
up until Feb. 28, 2009, and all church lands, unoccupied homes and
associated church buildings, including halls that are not considered
core assets to the operation of the parish. Parishes will be
permitted to keep $10,000 in cash for operating expenses.
The bishop, who was installed during an elaborate ceremony in
Antigonish on Monday, said it'll take some time to know exactly how
parishioners are feeling about the financial decisions made by the
diocese.
"There seems to be a sense of acceptance, a sense of, 'We have to do
it,' and so that's an obligation that we have. But once I get around
to people, to different areas, I may have a better perspective on how
people are really responding," he said.
More at:
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=322448&sc=145
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
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