N.L. Anglican priest faces child porn charges

AnAnglican priestliving inConception Bay South, N.L.,was charged with possession and distribution of child pornography Tuesday following an investigation by police in both Ontario and his home province.

Robin Barrett, 50, was arrested after the child exploitation section of the Toronto Police Service contacted the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary on Nov.18, police said.

Barrett was arrested early Tuesday morning. Police said they searched his home.

He appeared in court in St. John's Tuesday.

Barrettwas therectorof the church of the Good Shepherd in Mount Pearl, from May 1999 tothe fall of 2008. He is currently the rector of St. Paul's Church in Goulds. Both churches are in communities near St. John's.

Conception Bay South is10 kilometres southwest ofSt. John's.

In a news release,the Diocesan Synod of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador said Barrett has been relieved of his duties with the church in order to allow the investigation to proceed.

"We as a faith community, are deeply concerned with the continued issue of sexual exploitation of children and we will do all we can to address this issue," said the statement, signed by Cyrus C.J. Pitman,Bishop of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. "Given the gravity of these charges, we are co-operating fully with the authorities."

Barrett is scheduled to appear inprovincial court for a bail hearing Wednesday morning.