The Vatican has announced a new bishop will oversee the Catholic Church in Antigonish, N.S., replacing Raymond Lahey, who is facing child pornography charges.

Bishop Brian Joseph Dunn will be moved from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. to the diocese of Antigonish. The diocese made headlines two months ago when Lahey was charged with possessing and importing child pornography after his laptop was seized at the Ottawa airport.

"While our diocese is facing times of challenge and struggle we are also a diocese with a history of deep faith and working together," Father Paul Abbass, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Antigonish, wrote in a news release Saturday.

"It is in this spirit that we continue to seek pathways to healing and rebuilding."

Abbass wrote that Dunn would take over some time in the new year and said the church will "continue to work together toward the healing and rebuilding which are called for."

Sault Ste. Marie Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe wrote in a news release that Dunn's departure means he is "losing a very competent and dedicated immediate collaborator. This is a real sacrifice for our diocese."

"However, I am sure that out of love for our Church in Canada, all will understand this appointment of the Holy Father at this particular time."

Search warrants showed police found nearly 1,000 photos and videos "of concern" on Lahey's computer that allegedly portrayed young men and boys performing sex acts.

None of the allegations against Lahey, 69, have been proven in court.

The Archdiocese of Halifax has been overseeing Antigonish since Lahey resigned the day after his Sept. 25 arrest.

Lahey is currently out on bail and living with other priests in Ottawa.