“I am very happy to be appointed. I am looking forward to working with the people . . .  I am looking forward to getting down there, settling in and just trying to be with people in the midst of the difficult situation we are in.”

Dunn’s appointment was made necessary when former Bishop Raymond Lahey resigned suddenly Sept. 26. It was later learned that Lahey had been charged with the possession and importation of child pornography Sept. 25 after being stopped by a Canadian Border Services agent in Ottawa earlier that month.

“All I know is what I have learned through the media,” Dunn said when asked about the allegations against Lahey. “I am learning lots of details from the diocese and I am trying to get the information from there. Until I know more I cannot make any comment on that.”

Dunn said he was shocked at the charges against a fellow bishop he knew well.

“I am still trying to understand what has happened. I am aware that this is causing great hurt for the people of the Antigonish diocese,” he said.

The Bishop-elect said he knows little about the diocese.

“It is going to take me awhile to get used to the place, get to know people, the situation there and to try to be able to help people as much as possible.”

Dunn’s appointment was welcome news to Catholic clergy.

“We are pleased to welcome Bishop Dunn as he joins us on this journey forward and we offer him our co-operation and support,” diocesan spokesman Fr. Paul Abbass said.

“We are grateful to the Holy Father for recognizing the particular needs of our church by naming a new bishop in such a timely manner.”

Halifax Archbishop Anthony Mancini, who has been apostolic administrator of Antigonish since Lahey's resignation, said he learned of Dunn’s selection earlier this month during a trip to Rome. He received official confirmation via letter a few days prior to the public announcement.

“Given the usual approach to appointing a bishop this is unique,” Mancini said. “The usual response to the situation that we are in would take nine months to two years when starting from scratch.”

Dunn has been an auxiliary bishop for a little more than a year. Born in St. John’s, Nfld., in 1955, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1980, serving in the diocese of Grand Falls until 1988. Dunn completed his doctoral studies in canon law at Saint Paul University in Ottawa in 1991. He returned to parish ministry and worked as Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor for Grand Falls while teaching theology in the Maritimes. In 2002, he became a faculty member at St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ont. From 2005 until his appointment in Sault Ste. Marie in 2008, he had served as Dean of Studies at the seminary.

The diocese of Antigonish has a Catholic population of 129,730 in 118 parishes and missions, served by 114 diocesan priests, three priests who are members of religious orders, one permanent deacon and 272 religious sisters.

The date for Dunn’s installation has not been set but will occur early next year. Dunn hopes to visit the diocese in the near future.