Sex-convicted pastor still on payroll

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- A Canadian Anglican youth pastor convicted of child sex crimes and imprisoned in Mexico is still being paid by his British Columbia church.

The Rev. Paul Woehrle of St. David's Anglican Church told The Province newspaper in Vancouver that 41-year-old Brad Firth has been receiving $1,000 a month since his arrest.

"We had a plan that says, until the appeal process is exhausted, we would continue this financial support," Woerhle said, adding the church was also covering Firth's legal fees.

Firth was convicted in Mexico in July 2004 of sexually abusing a 14-year-old Mexican boy who attended a Bible church camp in the Baja Peninsula in 2001, and sentenced to 11 years, less time already served, the report said.

Woehrle said the money helps Firth buy additional food and water along with physical, mental and emotional counseling for both Firth and his adopted Haitian son who lives with his family in Alberta.

Firth is also wanted by police in Delta, British Columbia, on one count each of possessing child pornography and accessing child pornography, which he will face whenever he returns to Canada.