Ottawa police have issued an arrest warrant for a former Roman Catholic bishop who recently oversaw the settlement of a lawsuit alleging church sexual abuse in Nova Scotia.

Raymond Lahey, 69, is charged with Possession of Child Pornography and Importation of Child Pornography.

Police say a man was searched while re-entering Canada at the Ottawa airport on September 15. "During the examination, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Officers found images on his laptop computer that were of concern," a police news release said.

The computer and other media devices were seized by CBSA and the airline passenger was released, pending further investigation.

Lahey resigned from his post as bishop of Antigonish on Saturday. In his resignation letter, he wrote he stepped down to take "much-needed time for personal renewal," but made no reference to any criminal investigation.

Halifax's Archibishop, who will manage the Antigonish diocese while replacement is sought, said he was shocked by the news of charges.

"I don't quite know what to say or how to say it. I'm shocked. I'm devastated about all of this," Anthony Mancini told CTV News.

Mancini said another scandal will hit the church's reputation hard.

"The issue of credibility has been touched again and so how many times can you go through this and somehow act as if the next day, everything is okay?" he said.

He said he is going to Antigonish tomorrow to help get parishioners through the situation.

Mancini said he has worked with Lahey for about two years and has offered Lahey support and prayers.

Lahey is known for overseeing a $13-million settlement with about two dozen people who said they had been sexually abused by priests in the community dating back to 1950.

In a news conference announcing the settlement just last month, Lahey said, "I want them to know how terribly sorry we are, how wrong this abuse was, and how we are now attempting to right those wrongs."

"Money can never compensate fully, but we are trying ... to be fair, responsible, respectful and, most of all, compassionate."

On Saturday, Mancini posted a message confirming that Pope Benedict XVI accepted Lahey's resignation in accordance with Canon Law.

The specific law states "A diocesan bishop who has become less able to fulfill his office because of ill health or some other grave cause is earnestly requested to present his resignation from office."

"We are grateful to him for his dedicated and generous service to the Diocese. Let us all hold him up in prayer," Mancini said.

When Lahey resigned on Saturday, it raised questions from at least one community newspaper, which demanded a further explanation as to why he stepped down.

Residents in the area say they are upset.

"What a shame," said one woman. "Every time you turn around there is more in the news about it."