Advisory Panel Impartiality Questioned

Cornwall News AM 1220

January 18, 2007 — An alleged victim at the Cornwall Public Inquiry has questioned the impartiality of the advisory panel. John MacDonald spoke before the inquiry yesterday and asked why Father John Loftus was asked to sit on the advisory panel. MacDonald says Loftus was Executive Director of the Southdown Institute when Father Charles MacDonald was a patient there. Commissioner Normand Glaude said he would take that under advisement and "act accordingly". John MacDonald says he was abused by Father Charles MacDonald. Charges against Charles MacDonald were stayed in 2002 when a judge ruled it had taken too long to get the matter to trial. The Southdown Institute is an organization that helps members of the clergy deal with personal issues and provides therapy. Lead Commission Counsel, Peter Engelmann, believes Loftus left before Father MacDonald was admitted.