I am haunted by the news out of Nova Scotia that a Roman Catholic bishop, Raymond Lahey, has been charged with possession of child pornography. The story is disturbing on so many levels. More and more I realize that the internet, a wonderful technological advancement, has its chilling dark side. Many people are lured into activity which they may convince themselves is harmless because it is conducted in the privacy of their own homes, yet is hugely destructive.
Bishop Lahey was the Roman Catholic official responsible for financial reparations and apologies to a number of people whose lives were deeply scarred as a result of sexual abuse by clergy. That he was allegedly availing himself of child porn is creepy. How could he have possibly taken on the one responsibility while engaging in this abuse of children at the same time? I'm sure we're agreed that even if there was no physical contact with children, they had to be exploited and abused to produce the pornography.
I am also disturbed to hear that the alert about Lahey's use of porn was sounded twenty years ago but somehow he was not held accountable and continued to be given greater responsibility within the church. This is a sin.
Finally, I grieve for all the committed laypeople and clergy of the Roman Catholic church who are suffering through yet another betrayal of trust. I know so many RC's who are devout Christians and I have benefitted from my dealings with priests through the years. There are aspects of Catholic spirituality that we would do well to emulate. Still, this is a horror story.
I am not interested in slamming the Roman Catholic church. Honestly, I have held off on commenting on this story because I don't want to simply be negative about brothers and sisters in Christ. I am interested in your reactions to this news.
4 comments:
There are so many people out there exploiting children in some way, but it is more difficult to hear it when it is someone in a position of authority and trust. I come from a Catholic family and I know it is very hurtful for them when these stories are discovered.
The young victims lives can never be fully repaired.It makes me heartsick that one who seemingly should understand the pain he was causing couldn't seek help for himself.
The breech in trust diminishes all clergy, in the eyes of the bigger world, undeservingly.(Can't help but think that Roman Polanski's crime against a young girl seems diminished/excusable by his occupation/fame yet Bishop Lahey's crime will multiply, spreading perceived wrongs to his whole profession by those looking for reasons to doubt). Undoubtedly, a terrible wrong has gone on. I pray the proper actions are now taken by both the law,and the church, and that those searching for their faith are not shaken by one man's actions (or perhaps two, the fellow who over looked the warnings)
Thanks for these responses. I can only imagine,Deb, how demoralizing these situations are for "rank and file RC's.
Interesting that you raise the Roman Polanski situation Laura. I am a huge fan of Polanski's work and Chinatown may be my favourite movie. But he was never brought to justice and I agree that privilege, wealth, fame should not put us above the law.
There is plenty to be disturbed about in this story, not the least of which is his position. However, is it more shocking than the lawyers, judges, doctors and police officers who have also been caught?
You rightly do not make a statement slamming a particular religion, as people from all walks of life obviously have a much darker side to them.
The investigation of child porn has overwhelmed police forces. Retired Toronto PS Sgt. Paul Gillespie was so distraught over the proliferation of child porn and the number of abused children images he had to view in his investigations, he actually emailed Microsofts big guy, Bill Gates in frustration. Gillespie did not expect a response to his venting, but Gates sent 3 million dollars to Gillespie and Toronto PS to aid in their battle against these evil abusers.
It's as important to find these poor victims as it is the perpetrators.
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