Vatican City, May 5, 2011 / 08:53 am
The Vatican condemned “sexual exploitation in all its forms” and offered prayers for those affected by a Canadian bishop who recently plead guilty to importing child pornography into the country.
“Recognizing the confusion and anger that this case has engendered among many of the faithful, we underscore our pastoral concern for those who have experienced great pain as a result of these events,”
read a statement issued by the Vatican on May 5.
Bishop Raymond J. Lahey was jailed on May 4 immediately after pleading guilty to importing child pornography.
Bishop Lahey, 70, formerly led the Diocese of Antigonish, Nova Scotia and was arrested in 2009 after Ottowa airport workers found him in possession of child pornography as he reentered the country from a trip abroad.