Diocese of Antigonish reaches out after sex abuse scandal

A Roman Catholic diocese in Nova Scotia is trying to connect with people who may have been abused by clergy, or otherwise hurt by the church.

The Diocese of Antigonish is holding a series of meetings, beginning Tuesday night, in the wake of a sexual abuse scandal.

Three years ago, the diocese reached a landmark settlement with victims of sexual abuse by priests.

Soon after that settlement was announced, then-bishop Raymond Lahey was charged with possessing and importing child pornography. He was later convicted, sentenced to time served, and defrocked by the Holy See in Rome.

Bishop Brian Dunn said these public meetings will try to address the anger and hurt that's still out there.

Especially with those who have been abused by clergy, but also to reconcile with any people who has been hurt by the church in any way. So it's kind of a more broader than the sexual abuse, people whove been hurt maybe because of the way that the church responded in terms of the sexual abuse issue, he said.

Dunn said these meetings are in preparation for a major service of reconciliation next June.