McRae: Father Angus McRae

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Angus Alexander McRae

Priest, Archdiocese of Edmonton, Alberta.  Ordained 05 June 1954. Spent several years with the Canadian Armed Forces as a military chaplain.  1980  court martial –  sentenced to four years for sex abuse of young boy. The charges, which included buggery, gross indecency and indecent assault, were laid by military police and prosecuted by military.  Served only 10 months of four year sentence, and that  in CFB military prison in Edmonton.

Sent to Southdown.  After his release from Southdown taken into Archdiocese of Toronto by Archbishop Emmett Carter – recycled into parish in Toronto Archdiocese (St. Thomas More, Scarborough).  In 1989 charges of abuse from Toronto.  GUILTY plea.  Placed on three years  probation! Later claimed he pled guilty to spare the families further embarrassment (“As much as I hated it and against my conscience and to save families further embarrassment I took it on the chin.”)

(There are sex abuse allegations Father John O’Donnell, the priest who who was pastor at St. Thomas More.)

 

Obituary in Edmonton Journal: Reverend Angus McRAE
McRAE, Reverend Angus On Friday, May 20, 2011, Father Angus passed away peacefully at the Edmonton General Hospital. He was ordained, with his brother Roderick, on June 5, 1954. Father leaves behind his brother Allan (Patricia), sister-in-law Cecile, five nieces, and one nephew. He was predeceased by his four brothers; Jack, Ken, Gerard, father Hubert (Roderick), and sisters Loretta and Catherine. A Prayer Service will take place at Connelly-McKinley St. Albert Funeral Home; 9 Muir Drive, on Wednesday, May 25, at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 26, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Emerence Parish; #401 – 26500 Highway 44, Riviere Qui Barre. A Burial will follow in St. Emerence Cemetery. Condolences to the family may be made at www.connelly-mckinley.com

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Archbishops of Edmonton Archdiocese from time of McRae’s ordination:  John Hugh MacDonald  (05 March 1938  – 11 August 1964 );  Anthony Jordan, O.M.I.  (11 August 1964 –  – 02 July 1973); Joseph Neil MacNeil (02 July 1973 – – 07 Jun2 1999); Thomas Christopher Collins (07 June 1999 – – 16 December 2006 to Archbishop of Toronto, Ontario); Richard William Smith (22 March 2007 – – )

Anthony Jordan, O.M.I served as Coadjutor Archbishop from April 1955 until his installation as Archbishop in August 1964.

Archbishop of Toronto during McRae’s years in the Archdiocese:  Gerald Emmett Carter  (29 April 1978  -17 March 1990 )

Auxiliary Bishops of Toronto during McRae’s years in the Archdiocese: Michael Pearse Lacey (03 May 1979 -to 31 May 1993);  Robert Bell Clune  (03 May 1979 – 27 December 1995);  Leonard James Wall  (03 May 1979 – 25 Feb 1992)

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The following information is drawn from Canadian Catholic Directories (CCCD) of that date, and media (M).  The list is far from complete.  Additional information and dates will be added as it they become available.

20 May 2011:  died at the Edmonton General Hospital

2010:  no listed (CCCD)

2002: 1111 Jupiter Ave., Edmonton, AB (CCCD)

2000. 1997, 1996:  501-12720 – 111th Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta  (CCCD)

1994, 1993:  10611 Kingsway Avenue, Rm. 107, Edmonton, Alberta  (CCCD)

1991:  not listed in index (CCCD)

July 1989:  three years probation

June 1989: charges related to sex abuse of two boys in Toronto (M)

1985-86:  St. Thomas More, Scarborough 1 Dormington Drive, Scarborough, Ontario  (Pastor Father John A. O’Donnell.  O’Donnell was in charge of Catholic Scouting for the Archdiocese) (CCCD)

according to a blogger. while at St. Thomas More McRae was placed in charge of altar servers.   http://www.theinquiry.ca/wordpress/charged/mcrae-father-angus-mcrae/comment-page-1/#comment-145100

1983-1989 (approx.):  . St. Thomas More, Scarborough (M)

Around 1982 or 1983 ?:  Southdown.  Recycled into parish duties in Archdiocese of Toronto. (M)

1981:  served 10 months of four year sentence.  Sent to Southdown.  Then serving in Archdiocese of Toronto. (St. Thomas More, Scarborough)  Father  Michael Waites was serving at the parish when McCrae was arrested (M)

1980:  GUILTY plea at his court martial.   Sentenced to four years in the CFB Edmonton military prison.  Released after serving 10 months in prison.  Given a dishonourable discharge. (M)

28 June 1980:  arrested by military police at CFB Edmonton after allegations from three boys age 10-15.  The charges included buggery, gross indecency and indecent assault (M)

1977-1980:  chaplain at Lancaster Park Military Base, Namao, Alberta (M)

Lawsuit relates to sex abuse allegations while McCrae was a military chaplain

1973-74, 1971-72:  not listed in index (CCCD)

Served as chaplain with the Canadian Armed Forces.  He served in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia and Lancaster Park, Alberta (M)

1968-69:  pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bashaw, Alberta with missions at St. Michael’s RC Church in Manfred, and St, Theresa RC Church in Mirror. (CCCD)

before transfer to Bashaw took effect, McCrae joined the Canadian Armed Forces to serve as a military chaplain.

1967: pastor, St. Stephen’s RC Church, Olds, Alberta, with missions at St. Anhthon’s in Didsbury, Our Lady of Fatima in Innisfail, and Bowden and Sundre.

1959:  assisting at St. John the Evangelist, Edmonton (Pastor Father A. Gillis)

1954:  ORDAINED

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22 July 1989:  Priest who molested boys gets three years probation

18 July 1989:  Archdiocese sets guidelines for abuse cases

31 July 1980:  Chaplain Guilty of sex assault 31 July 1980

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29 June 1989:  Archbishop promises new look at screening of would-be priests

28 June 1989: Priest faces sex abuse charges

31 July 1980:  Chaplain guilty of sex assault

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City man suing former priest for sexual abuse

Edmonton Journal

12 April 2001

Susan Hagan, Journal Staff Writer

An Edmonton man is suing a former Catholic priest for sexually abusing him more than 20 years ago at the Lancaster Park Military Base in Namao, according to court documents.

The former altar boy, whose name is protected by a publication ban, filed a statement of claim recently in Court of Queen’s Bench against St. Albert resident Angus McRae, the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton and the Minister of National Defence. He is seeking a multimillion-dollar settlement.

The defendants have not yet filed a statement of defence and the statements have not been proved in court.

According to documents, the incidents took place between 1977 and 1980 — the period McRae was a priest and captain at the base. The plaintiff, known only as P.S., was an altar boy, 13 to 15 years old, when the alleged assaults occurred.

In 1980, a military court found McRae guilty of three sex charges against an unnamed boy.

In his claim, P.S. states that McRae, now in his 70s, repeatedly sexually assaulted him, forced him to give and receive oral sex, touched without consent, committed acts of gross indecency and forced him to have anal sex.

The other defendants “empowered McRae to sexually assault the plaintiff and materially increased the risk of sexual assaults” by failing to properly supervise McRae.

“The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton and the Crown are powerful defendants and there is a great imbalance of power between the defendants and the plaintiff,” according to the claim.

The physical, psychological and emotional effects linger to this day, the claim states. P.S. has suffered depression, sexual confusion, nightmares, low self-esteem, and is unable to maintain meaningful employment.

On January 14, 2000, he tried to commit suicide.

Since his suicide attempt, he “has been in receipt of counselling … and is only now starting to realize the effects of the abuse.”

McRae pleaded guilty in 1989 of fondling two boys in Toronto, ages 12 and 14, and was banned from parish work for life.

“P.S. no longer has faith in the Roman Catholic Church, he feels the church has not protected him. P.S. also no longer has any faith in God,” the claim says.

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Edmonton man sues former priest alleging sexual abuse 20 years ago

Canadian Press

12 April 2001

EDMONTON (CP) – A 35-year-old Edmonton man is suing a former priest, the Catholic church and the federal government, alleging he was sexually abused more than 20 years ago at the Lancaster Park Military Base in Namao, Alta.

The former altar boy filed a statement of claim recently in Court of Queen’s Bench against Angus McRae, the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton and the minister of National Defence.

The defendants have not yet filed a statement of defence.

The man, who was 13 at the time, alleges he was abused beginning in 1977 when McRae was a priest and captain at the base.

In 1980, a military court found McRae guilty of three sex charges against an unnamed boy.

McRae, who is now in his 70s, also pleaded guilty in 1989 to fondling two boys in Toronto, ages 12 and 14, and was banned from parish work for life.

The plaintiff alleges the church and the federal government “empowered Angus McRae to sexually assault the plaintiff and materially increased the risk of sexual assaults” by failing to properly supervise the priest.

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Conviction didn’t end career

Toronto Star

11 February 1990

Kevin Donovan Toronto Star

EDMONTON – Capt. Angus McRae’s 1980 court martial for child sex abuse ended his career in the military.

It did not end his career as a priest.

Last year, McRae, 62, was convicted of two sexual assaults on young boys while serving as a priest in Scarborough, where he’d been transferred after leaving the military.

The Metro police detective who investigated the Scarborough case, Sergeant George Pope, said he was surprised that McRae’s military conviction did not prevent him from acting as a parish priest.

“The church knew about it and they still put him back into the system,” Pope said in an interview.

As soon as complaints were raised against McRae in 1989, however, church officials in Scarborough passed them on to children’s aid officials, says Rev. Edward Boehler, Judicial Vicar for the Toronto Archdiocese.

Boehler said it was up to the Edmonton Archdiocese to explain why McRae was transferred to Scarborough. Church officials in Edmonton would not talk to The Star.

McRae began his career as a priest in 1954 and worked at several Alberta parishes.

Army chaplain

In 1968, he was transferred from an Olds church to a parish in Bashaw. Before the transfer took effect, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces to serve as an army chaplain.

McRae served both at Canadian Forces Base Cornwallis in Nova Scotia and CFB Edmonton, Lancaster Park.

But on June 28, 1980, military police at CFB Edmonton arrested McRae.

Military records at the Judge Advocate General’s office in Ottawa show that three youths, aged 10 to 15, complained McRae sexually assaulted them in the base chapel.

The charges included buggery, fellatio and masturbation of the youths, between Oct. 31, 1978, and May 23, 1980.

McRae pleaded guilty at his court martial and was sentenced to four years in the CFB Edmonton military prison, a sentence reduced on appeal to 18 months.

After serving 10 months in prison, McRae was released and given a dishonorable discharge.

The Edmonton Archdiocese sent him to Southdown in Aurora, a residential counselling centre for priests. His treatment included injections of Cyproterone Acetate, a medication given to reduce sex drive.

After leaving Southdown, McRae was posted by the church to St. Thomas More Church in Scarborough as associate pastor.

Visited home

In May of last year, McRae was again charged with sexual assaults on youngsters, after police received complaints he had fondled two brothers, aged 12 and 14.

On July 21, he pleaded guilty to the charges in Scarborough Provincial Court.

A court transcript shows McRae “began paying a lot of attention” to the older brother in July, 1988. He’d take him bowling and golfing. At night, McRae would visit the boy and his brother at their home, “talk about things like erections and masturbation,” and stay very late while the boys’ parents were in another room.

Transcripts show McRae started squeezing the older boy’s buttocks, something that aggravated him enough to tell the priest to “keep his hands to himself.”

Then McRae turned his attention to the younger boy.

Eventually, church officials were notified and passed the complaints on to the Catholic Children’s Aid Society.

In McRae’s defence, lawyer Frank Morrocco said McRae had failed to take his sex-drive-inhibiting medication during the period the assaults occurred.

Judge A. Davidson sentenced McRae to three years’ probation and ordered him not to have contact with anyone under 18 years of age unless in the presence of an adult.

Wrote letter

McRae is now attached to the Edmonton Archdiocese, but church officials won’t say what work he is doing.

Shortly after his conviction, McRae wrote a letter to his former parishioners, saying he was innocent of the charges: “As much as I hated it and against my conscience and to save families further embarrassment I took it on the chin.”

By way of explanation, McRae said the boys and their parents were “extremely introverted” and he was spending time with the oldest brother to help him “out of his shell.”

McRae wrote that he remembers putting his arm around the youth a few times, but nothing more.

McRae also says he was originally going to plead not guilty, but changed his mind when police and crown counsel said several other youths, some girls, had come forward with similar complaints.

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Congregation finally informed of child-molesting priest’s past

Edmonton Journal

22 August 1989

Special masses were held at a Toronto church last weekend at which a priest told his parishioners he accepted a former child molester to be his associate.

Rev. Tony Meagher of Blessed Trinity Church in Willowdale, Ont. told those attending five separate masses that former Edmonton priest Rev. Barry Glendinning had a history of molesting boys before being transferred to Toronto.

Glendinning, now 56, was sent to Edmonton in 1976 following incidents in the London, Ont. diocese involving altar boys. He spent several months in treatment before coming to Edmonton, where he repeated the offences and has been in therapy since he left in 1983.

Rev. Glendinning didn’t attend any of the masses at which his background was discussed, parishioner John McGivney said from Toronto.

“Father Tony told us that what we’ve read in the papers is true and explained the situation. He said he knew about it and decided not to tell the parish ahead of time, rightly or wrongly.

“He was very open about his problems and it was excellently done. I feel reassured that we know now.”

The police were never contacted about the allegations. Instead, church officials in Edmonton and London sent Glendinning for treatment and then transferred him to another parish.

Archdiocese officials in Toronto have said they will allow parishioners to decide if Rev. Glendinning should continue to be active in their church.

Another former Edmonton priest, Rev. Angus McRae, 63, was recently banished from parish work for life after he pleaded guilty to a second offence of molesting boys.

McRae was in a Toronto parish working after serving a four-year sentence for buggery in Edmonton in 1980.

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Ex-Edmonton priest convicted on sex charges

The Edmonton Journal

23 July 1989

TORONTO (CP) — A 63-year- old Roman Catholic priest who molested two boys from his suburban parish has been placed on probation for three years.

Rev. Angus McRae, once a military chaplain at CFB Edmonton, pleaded guilty Friday to sexual exploitation and sexual interference for fondling the buttocks of the boys, aged 12 and 14, several times over the past year.

McRae often discussed erections and masturbation with the older boy, Crown attorney Mary Hall told provincial court.

When the older boy began avoiding him, McRae started to get friendly with the 12-year-old, and fondled his buttocks “whenever he had the opportunity.”

The boys’ complaints to church officials in May prompted calls to the Catholic Children’s Aid Society and Toronto police, who charged McRae June 27.

McRae underwent psychological assessment and will receive treatment, the defence said. He will return to a small farming community on the outskirts of Edmonton to live with his sister.

The church has barred him from parish work for life.

The judge also ruled McRae is not to associate with anyone under the age of 18 unless accompanied by an adult.

He received a four-year sentence in 1980 after being convicted of three sex charges involving a boy.

He had been tried at a military court martial in Edmonton on charges of buggery, indecent assault and gross indecency.

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Priest who molested boys gets three years’ probation

Toronto Star

22 July 1989

By Lisa Wright Toronto Star

A 63-year-old priest who molested two boys from his Scarborough parish has been given three years probation.

Rev. Angus Alexander McRae , a former associate   pastor  at St. Thomas More Roman –

Catholic Church, pleaded guilty yesterday to sexual exploitation and sexual interference for fondling the buttocks of the boys, aged 12 and 14, several times over the last year.

McRae often discussed erections and masturbation with the older boy, Crown Attorney Mary Hall told Scarborough Provincial Court.

“He would greet him with a slap on the buttocks” and frequently squeezed his buttocks through his clothing, the crown said.

When the older boy began avoiding him after telling him to “keep’ his hands off,”‘ McRae started to get friendly with the 12 year-old boy and fondling his buttocks “whenever he had the opportunity.” The incidents continued until this May, Hall said.

Boys complained

The boys finally complained about the priest’s behavior to church officials, which prompted calls to the Catholic Children’s Aid Society and Metro police. After McRae was charged June 27, the Toronto archdiocese relieved him of his pastoral duties and asked him to leave the church residence.

Ontario Supreme Court Justice Alex Davidson said it was fortunate the children “were street-wise enough to know that these were the actions of a man who had some serious

… psychological problems.”

McRae has since had a psychological assessment and will undergo continued care as recommended, defence attorney Frank Marocco said.

In the next few days, he is to return to a small farming community on the outskirts of Edmonton to live with his sister. He is barred from any more parish work for life, on the recommendation of Judicial Vicar Edward Boehler of the Toronto archdiocese.

The judge also ruled McRae is not to associate with anyone under the age of 18 unless accompanied by an adult.

It is the second known conviction for the former military chaplain, who had received a four-year sentence in 1980 after being convicted of three sex charges involving a boy. Metro police say he only served 10 months of  that sentence and could have faced up to 10 years imprisonment for his latest conviction.

Brief appearance

Wearing a rumpled blue blazer but no cleric’s collar, McRae bowed his head and appeared flushed during the rushed court proceedings that lasted about 20 minutes.

The judge said it was in McRae’s favor that he pleaded guilty, saving the victims the • agony of a lengthy trial.

“The accused will no longer be used as in effective member of the church and will no longer have the opportunity to exhibit this kind of conduct,” Davidson said,

The parents of the boys are convinced their children have received no long-term psychological harm from the incidents and are  “very anxious to see the matter resolved with no further embarrassment,” the crown said.

Toronto archdiocese spokesman Suzanne  Scorsone said the church is satisfied the priest was brought to justice because it has cast bad light on the Roman Catholic community.

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Priest appears in court for sex abuse charges

Toronto Star

11 July 1989

A 62-year-old priest has appeared in Scarborough Provincial Court charged with the sexual exploitation of two boys.

Father Angus McRae, a priest at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church in Scarborough, was remanded yesterday until July 24 to set a date for trial on the charges of sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching of two boys, aged 12 and 14.

McRae was charged June 27 after the boy complained to church officials prompted a call to the Metro’s Catholic Children’s Aid Society, which notified Metro police.

The Toronto archdiocese relieved the former Edmonton priest of his pastoral duties and asked him to leave the church residence. His duties as a priest will be reviewed once the trial is completed.

McRae did not not wear a collar under his rumpled blue blazer during his court appearance.

McRae, who came to the Markham Rd. and Ellesmere Rd. church six years ago, could face up to 10 years imprisonment if convicted.

63 Responses to McRae: Father Angus McRae

  1. Sandra Abdee says:

    I was a teenage girl attending St Thomas More Catholic Church during Angus McRae’s time there. I interacted with him and the other priest a lot due to my membership in the Twilight Youth Group. After he was charged and pled guilty I remember speaking with the other priest who worked with him at St. Thomas More at the same time. This priest told me that both he and the Pastor had always been aware of Fr. McRae’s past conviction. If that was the case, then why was Fr. McRae put in charge of the alter servers during his time at St. Thomas More? I never did get an answer to that question and have been unable to be a practicing or believing member of the Roman Catholic Church since. Has this issue ever been brought up before with the Archdiocese of Toronto? If not…it should.

    • Anonymous says:

      I was also a member of St. Thomas Moore and the children that were molested were schoolmates of mine. We ran into McRae at cedar Rae mall one night and he invited my sister and I to visit him for a movie night in the rectory. I felt very uncomfortable with that and it seemed really strange (one of my first lessons on trusting my instincts) The fact that everything was hidden from us as children and that his behaviour was swept under the rug caused me to also leave the church. He should have been held fully accountable and his credentials stripped. His ability to simply move to a new province and continue these heinous crimes against innocent children has turned me away from the church forever. I wont educate my children in any church doctrine or education system because of the atrocities that have been and continue to be allowed by the Catholic Church. I hope he rots in hell.

      • Phil Johnson says:

        Thanks for posting this…and like you, I and my family have lost all our faith in organized religion and in particular, this church. He and his defenders will get their judgement for sure. They’ll need fire-resistant clothing for sure.

  2. Sandra Abdee says:

    I just noticed that there is a death notice posted for Fr. Angus McRae. Apparently he died on May 20, 2011.

  3. Sylvia says:

    Thank you for sharing that with us Sandra. You unfortunately are proof postiive of the damage done to the faith of those who are subjected to recyled clerical predators. I am so sorry.

    You say he was put in charge of altar servers while he was at St. Thomas More? That is unconscionable! Bad enough to recyle him in the first place without telling a soul, but then to allow him to be actively involved with a youth group?! and to put him in charge of altar servers?!! Unconscionable.

    Sandra, you should send a letter/email to the Archbishop of Toronto telling him precisely what you have said here and asking the same question. True, it is a different Arhcbishop, but your question warrants an answer. The current Archbishop is Thomas Collins. He must give you an explanation for the acts omission and comission of his predecessors . His email address is: archbishop@archtoronto.org

    Please let us know how you fare.

    Re McCrae’s death. Can you post a link to the death notice? On a quick search I am able to find messages of condolence but not an actualy obit with the date of death. If you have either the link or the text itself and source I will post it.

  4. Sylvia says:

    I found the obituary. I will post it.

  5. Bobbie Bees says:

    Wow……… I’m stunned, speechless actually.
    Thank you for posting the updated info on Father Angus McRae.

  6. Sylvia says:

    I’m glad it helped Bobbie.

  7. Rose says:

    i was a parishoner at st thomas moore and mcrae was supposed to marry my husband and I. Thankfully he was arrested. I went to confession once and it was Mcrae and he constantly asked me sex questions. he scared me enough i never went back to confession. Bizarre man I cant believe that Cardinal carter let him back in the church knowing what he knew and hurt more kids….

  8. Bobbie Bees says:

    OH my…….. this I did not know.
    McRae was officiating at the Wayne and Janet Gretzky wedding on July 17, 1988.

    Me? What interest do I have in a dead priest?
    Not much really.
    If there is a hell, I can only hope that he is rotting there for all eternity.

    But I do have interest in others that were involved in this case.
    Others that played innocent well all the while they were doing to other what they accused McRae of doing to them.
    All I can say is that at this moment, the Canadian Armed Forces Judge Advocate General and The Provost Marshal have taken a very active interest in this case.
    Where this leads to is anyone’s guess. But it’s really funny how many phone numbers and names I’ve been given recently.
    I may not believe in god. And I may have no faith in the church. But I do believe in the ultimate balance between good and evil and that justice, while it may take time, will eventually be served.

  9. Sylvia says:

    Are you sure of that Bobbie? I don’t recall much about the wedding, but I thought the wedding was non-Catholic and Bishop MacNeil allowed them to use the Cathedral because of the need for a large church to handle the crowds? Am I wrong on that?

    Or, is Janet Catholic? Is that it? Was McRae there to because she is Catholic and his presence would give the Church blessing to the marriage?

    I though neither Wayne nor Janet were Catholic, but I really don’t remember a lot about it.

    Do you have a news clipping or something you could send?

    And, I am thankful to hear that people in high places are paying heed Bobbie. Let’s pray that justice is indeed done.

  10. Bobbie Bees says:

    I can’t name names Sylvia right now. But this person was extremely sickened when he observed McRae standing at the front doors at the wedding dressed in his finest church vestments.
    I’m going to have to go down to the library tomorrow and see what they have.
    Might even have to hit up the Edmonton Journal to see what they have available from the photo-stock of the wedding.

    Anyways, the JAG and the Provost Marshal are involved as I made allegations against the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service for misconduct relating to the manner in which the investigation was carried out. The way I see it, the military doesn’t want any cases of historic or current child sexual abuse on military bases coming to the surface. Especially not after the Colonel Russel Williams fiasco. As an interesting side, were you aware that the military was ordered to do an audit right after the Colonel Russel Williams fiasco and they found a disturbingly high amount of child pornography and incidents of child sexual abuse on Canadian Military Bases?
    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/review-finds-disturbingly-higher-incidence-of-child-sex-abuse-in-defence-community/article1873910/

    So we’ll see where this ends up going.
    Never mind the ‘Girl who kicked the hornet’s nest”……
    I’m the boy who beat the hornet’s nest with a stick and then played football with it.

  11. phoenix says:

    bobbie bess My brother was abused by this man and I found out to day . I am so upset

    I dont know what to do next my brother is mentaly ill now.

  12. Sylvia says:

    phoenix, I am sure you are indeed terribly upset to find out. Did you brother tell you himself? or did you hear from someone else?

    I suggest you try to find help for your brother. Check with your local police, or look online for sex abuse victim services in the area where your brother lives. Try to find someone who can help your brother – preferably someone who has dealt with male victims of same-sex abuse.

  13. Phoenix: If I may add one suggestion to consider along with Sylvia’s excellent advice: you mention your brother is mentally ill. Does he have a therapist? If he does, you might make it know to him/her that your brother self-revealed the information to you if indeed that’s how you found out about it. S/He will not be free to say anything about it to you due to the confidentially owed your brother, but it would ensure that s/he knows about the abuse if you are concerned that he may not have told the therapist himself. At least you will be assured that you did what you could to get help for your brother.

    Fr. Tim

  14. Bobbie Bees says:

    Phoenix, if you don’t mind me asking, but where and when?

    You may if you wish email me at bobbie.bees@gmail.com

    Thank You Sylvia for the heads up.

    And yes, I had a good Christmas.

  15. Bobbie Bees says:

    And I should clarify Phoenix, as far as I am aware, my interactions with Captain Father Angus McRae were of a limited nature.
    It would seem though that I was directly responsible for the downfall of Captain Father Angus McRae. Sadly though, I was vilified in the military community. I was the victim of one of McRae’s victims. And I was only 7 when it started and 8 when it ended. When they say that “child molestation is the gift that keeps on giving” they weren’t kidding. McRae’s victim was babysitting children on Canadian Forces Base Namao. Unfortunately what McRae was doing to the babysitter, the babysitter was in turn doing to the children in his care.

    In March of this year I filed a complaint with the Canadian Forces National Investigation Services. At the time I thought that this was a good thing. But I quickly learnt that there was so much more to this case than just me and a few other kids being diddled by our babysitter. CFNIS informed me of the doings of Captain Father Angus McRae. It was through Sylvia’s website (this very page) that I learnt the details behind what had happened that spring on Canadian Forces Base Namao. It also became apparent that more people knew what had happened that spring. And it became very clear that the Canadian Armed Forces made a horrific “deal with the devil”. This deal was that they ‘overlooked’ what the babysitter had been doing to the younger children in order that the babysitter appear before the Court Martial unblemished. If the Provost Marshal conducting the Court Martial had any idea of what the babysitter had been doing I don’t think Captain Father Angus McRae would have been convicted as Captain Father Angus McRae’s defence counsel would have been able to call into question the veracity of the babysitter’s testimony against Captain Father Angus McRae.

    So sadly, my original complaint didn’t really go anywhere. “not enough evidence” was the response from the head of CFNIS Western Region. Funny though that the Alberta Chief Crown Prosecutor feels that there’s more than enough evidence for a civil suit as he personally told me himself.

    So, where does this leave me?

    Right now I have an official conduct complaint before the Provost Marshall, Colonel Tim Grubb, relating to the ‘weak’ investigation recently conducted by the investigators at CFNIS in which I have named the three primary investigators. I have alleged that the investigation was conducted in a weak manner in order to protect the Minister of National Defence from a civil claims lawsuit. CFNIS was fully aware that the babysitter in my case sued the Minister of National Defence in June of 2001 in the Edmonton Court if Queen’s Bench. The lawsuit is sealed. This indicates that the babysitter who molested me and my brother was able to walk away with a fair bit of change from this.
    A cc of this complaint was sent to, received and acknowledged by the Military Police Complaints Commission and the Judge Advocate General.

    Next, I have also filed a complaint with the Provost Marshall, the Military Police Complaints Commission and the Judge Advocate General over interference and professional misconduct over the original investigation back in 1980. Someone in the military made the decisions to not inform the outside civilian police agency having jurisdiction. See, back in 1980, the military police were prevented by the ‘Defence Act’ from investigating “civilian on civilian” crimes. They were required to notify RCMP ‘K’ Division in Morinville, Alberta. They chose not to. If they had this would have ruined their case against Captain Father Angus McRae.
    To that extent I have also filed letters of complaint with RCMP ‘K’ Division Head Quarters in Edmonton, Alberta, as well as RCMP ‘K’ Division Morinville Detachment and the Alberta Crown Prosecutor’s Office.

    So, we’ll see where this goes. At the moment I’m trying to get this story to the papers, sadly there still seems to be too much flag wavin’ patriotism going on.

    Now, you may be wondering if Captain Father Angus McRae was dishonourably discharged from the military in 1980 why do I still keep calling him Captain Father Angus McRae. It’s simple. He was an Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces when he was doing his damage. I might be persuaded to drop the Captain Father title, but for that to happen the military is going to have to man up to the fact that they sold the lives of numerous children living as military dependants on Canadian Forces Base Namao that spring and summer in 1980 down the river as if we were worthless trash.

  16. Bobbie Bees says:

    Sylvia, are you able to track down any information on Angus McRae’s next of kin?

  17. Bobbie Bees says:

    I’m sorry to have wasted anyone’s time with my story. I apologize. There was only one victim here. It was the babysitter. Me…. I’m just a worthless piece of trash…. hence why i’ve never been able to get justice in this matter. This is why the Military Police took no action against the babysitter in 1980…… he was the victim. I was just worthless trash…

    Goodbye.

  18. Larry Green says:

    Bobbie Bees, I have to admit regretfully that I did not take the time to read your story and I truly am sorry for that. I hope you can accept my apology and understand that I am deeply and sincerely pained by the horror you have been through. You have throughout your life from the time you were seven years of age when you were so cruelly and violently assaulted and to this day received messages of hate and that you are not loveable , but listen to me now. All of the injustice you have lived through says absolutely nothing about you , it speaks volumes about each and every single person who has treated you unjustly. Far from trash, you are a precious , beautiful, lovable human being who deserves to be treated with nothing less than the highest degree of dignity and respect.
    Please digest this message from me Bobbie Bees and know that I can only say it because I believe it.

  19. Larry Green says:

    I mean to say that I have not read your story before now.

  20. Bobbie Bees says:

    I am simply amazed at the extents that the Canadian Armed Forces will go to ensure that the true damage that occurred on Canadian Forces Base Namao stays buried in the past.
    Being a former base brat, I had always had great respect for the Canadian Forces. But after learning what I’ve learnt I’ve come to realize that there is an awful lot of evil inherent in the Canadian Armed Forces and that there are reasons why men like Russel Wiliams can not only rise to the rank of Colonel but can also be made Base Commander as he was for CFB Trenton.
    Honour in the military?
    No….. there is no honour in the military.

  21. Bobbie Bees says:

    *Well, hopefully one more step towards eventual justice.

    Found out that the 1970 National Defence Act which would have been in power at the time is what facilitated the ‘hiding’ of the true extent of the damage done on CFB Namao.

    Seems that under the N-4 National Defence Act it would have been Captain McRae’s commanding officer who would have approved or dismissed the charges against McRae.

    Seeing as how Captain McRae was in the Roman Catholic Chaplaincy Branch, his Commanding Officer would have been as well. Oooopppsss……  kinda looks like a little conflict of interest if you ask me. Also, as has been noted in different commission reports into the military justice system, the majority if not all of these commanding officer had absolutely no legal background or training.

  22. Mike Mc says:

    I see the Msgr Lynn jury is deliberating today. Reading about Fr McCrae and how he molested again by being placed in another parish only confirms the fact that while the two cases are different, they’re the same. 

    Clergy higher up are guilty of this crime of knowing about  fellow priest abusers but basically doing nothing….but placing them elsewhere.

    Guilty!

  23. Mike says:

    *     A very compelling case! I am left thinking that either one of two situations were in place here;
     #1) Cardinal Carter was a very stupid and ill-informed  man to have had knowledge of McCrae being placed back in Toronto and allowing it to happen.
      #2) The Cardinal was so full of himself, and had such a condescending outlook on the welfare of his parishioners that he didn’t care.

         I realize that the Cardinal is usually way above administrative duties such as the placement of priests in parishes, BUT I must say that my personal life these last 5 to 6 years have been well served with my own motto. Any organization is only as good and strong, or as weak and poor as it’s leader.
         Honey ALWAYS runs downhill, but so does SH.. !     Mike

  24. Bobbie Bees says:

    *Captain McRae has been dead for just over one year now and yet he’s still causing the military some significant headaches.

    Me, I’m still sloughing in my little journey to see justice for those of us who were swept under the rug because of this whole mess. I’ve been asked by the Military what I hope to accomplish by this. My simple response is that I mainly want an apology. 32 years ago something unusual happened. The Canadian Military conducted a court martial against a service member for sexual assault ON CANADIAN SOIL. This was very unusual as has been pointed out to me by to retired military lawyers. The Canadian Armed Forces has conducted numerous court martial for sexual assaults against military dependants, but all of these have occurred overseas out of the jurisdiction of the Canadian Civil Justice System.

    One note of interest though. McRae was not FOUND guilty. He PLEAD guilty. Hence the very quick turn-around time on sentencing. I wonder if he was ‘Taking it on the chin’, like he did less than ten years later in Scarborough. I wonder if the same thing was at play……. this really does make me wonder.

    Anyways, something is about to happen soon and I will keep everyone here informed…… I hope this works out for the best.

  25. Mike says:

    Bobbie-Bees;
         This Angus McCrae, I think I ran into him while playing for a wedding in Scarboro back in1989.
        Did he like to be called “Gus’, and did he wear cowboy boots?     Mike.

    • St. Thomas more student says:

      He sure did. My parents used to invite him to our cottage for weekends in the 1980’s, where we three kids were with our friends. He also “befriended” a boy from our school who had a serious medical condition and took him under his wing. I shudder to think if he sexually assaulted a dying child . This all makes me sick. I have not been catholic for many years and this just confirms why even more.

  26. Bobbie Bees says:

    *You know what Mike, I can’t honestly remember. I was only 7-8 at the time. Any encounter that I had with him outside of Sunday church would have ended with sacramental wine  🙁

  27. Mike says:

    Okay, thanks Bobbie-Bees. I was just curious. I remember this wedding very well, and my most vivid memory of this was of the priest, who was introduced to me as Fr. McRae only.I recall he was quite impressed when I and the soloist informed him of the music selections, which included a large number of traditional  wedding pieces such as “Panis Angelicus” Schubert’s “Ave Maria”, etc.
         The priest’s behaviour was odd. He seemed to need to be the centre of attention, and spoke quite in-appropriately on several occassions that day. Take care.    Mike.

  28. Bobbie Bees says:

    *You know Mike, you’re not the first to say that his language and behaviour was inappropriate. 

  29. Mike says:

    Bobbie-Bees;
         I am going through my own debilitating shame and guilt from the past right now. Memories of years gone by are coming back in “flashes”, including my very brief  exposure to Fr. McRae. The more I hear of experiences such as yours, the deeper the anger gets.
         I had completely forgotten this wedding until i read your testamonial. Now knowing that Cardinal Carter (whom I had rather high regard for at the time) knew of, or ought to have known about Fr. mcRae’s sordid background numbs me.
         I wish only the best for you in your pursuits. Please continue your search for justice.It will come (probably not so quick) in time. The fact that you are dealing with the Armed Forces (Federal Government) must seem monumental to you. It’s probably  very much like getting the truth out of the church!
          Take care.     Mike.

  30. PJ says:

    Our abuse happened on a CF base as well. Although I had to give my statement to the military police, the charges were moved to civilian jurisdiction. Had an interesting conversation with an mp who was at the base when the abuse took place. He admitted that had we laid a complaint back then, not much would have happened. Pisses me off though.

  31. Bobbie Bees says:

    *Hi PJ…..

    I spoke to a person a few weeks ago, he was an author of some published books that critique the Canadian Forces Military Police. I tracked him down and at first I thought that he wouldn’t be willing to communicate with me. But he did.

    —————————————————————-

    The charges would have been laid by military prosecutors, not the
    commanding officer. The commanding officer would simply have called in
    the military police. The prosecutor was Captain D.J. Boan and the Judge
    Advocate Lieutenant-Colonel J.B. Fay. There was no finding in the court
    martial by the military panel of officers, because McRae pled guilty to
    six charges. Charges involving children at the time generally
    occasioned gross indecency, not rape (which was usually reserved for
    sexual offences against a member of the opposite sex outside Canada).
    Other gross indecency cases were:

    R. v. Thibault, 1987 CM 31 (February 27, 1987)
    R. v. Ryan, 1985 CM 99 (December 16, 1985)
    R. v. Lynch, 1985 CM 68 (August 26, 1985)
    R. v. Clabby, 1985 CM 49 (June 21, 1985
    R. v. Baker, 1985 CM 54 (June 20, 1985)
    R. v. Gallant, 1985 CM 44 (June 1, 1985)
    R. v. Sullivan, 1985 CM 12 (March 20, 1985)
    R. v. Lavallee, 1983 CM 106 (March 3, 1983)
    R. v. Payette, 1979 CM 80 (November 8, 1979)
    R. v. Viel, 1978 CM 13 (January 28, 1978); 1977 CM 89 (December 16,
    1977)
    R. v. Rogers, 1976 CM 16 (February 13, 1976)
    R. v. Buckland, 1975 CM 105 (October 10, 1975)

    Also Abduction of a person under 16 years of age

    R. v. Clabby, 1985 CM 49 (June 21, 1985)

    As you say, what really makes the McRae case exceptional is that the
    offences happened on a military base in Canada, not in Germany or
    abroad. The military claimed jurisdiction, when arguably a civilian
    court should have heard this type of case.
    ————————————————

    So…. it will be interesting to see what happens with this.

    Tomorrow I have a meeting at the Sheraton here in Vancouver with an investigator being sent out from Ottawa who is looking into my complaints against the military. I have enough evidence to piece together a probable theory. The question is, will this be enough to get an inquiry going. If I can make enough of a compelling argument I may be able to force a re-examination of the entire 1980 ‘sideshow of justice’ which took place on CFB Edmonton.

    See, all I wanted was to take the babysitter to task for what he had done to me and my brother all those years ago. I can remember what the babysitter was doing to me. McRae, McRae showd me some mercy in the fact that he gave me sacramental wine, so thankfully I don’t remember anything he did.
    You may be asking why the military wouldn’t simply do what it could to put together enough evidence to assist in the prosecution of the babysitter.
    Simple.
    If they were to prosecute the babysitter, you can bet your last dollar that the babysitter would bring up the whole Captain Father Angus McRae issue.
    What would the babysitter say when he was on the stand?
    Would he admit that he was molesting me and my brother.
    Would he admit that he was taking me and my brother over to be abused by McRae.
    Would he also tell the court that he told the military police back in 1980 what he had been doing to the kids he was babysitting?
    You know, explain his abusing on the abuse he was suffering at the hands of McRae.
    Its those last two sentences that fully explain why the military police did such a very weak investigation into my complaint. No witnesses were tracked down(there were plenty from that day), no attempt was made to locate the other kids the babysitter was looking after.
    Nothing.

    I have to wonder if that’s why the one investigator told me about the Angus McRae subtext.
    All I remember McRae as is being this really odd guy with a round ‘stereo chair’ (white ball shaped chair with speakers inside of it)who would let us (babysitter and I) come over and listen to music and play games. NEVER could we ever enter though the front door of the living quarters. Always through the connecting door inside the chapel. Then of course there were the snacks. Unconsecrated communion wafers and a really sickly sweet grape juice.

    Oh well…… maybe this is why I’m crazy……. too many weird memories that I just can’t break free from.

  32. Bobbie Bees says:

    *Well…. It’s officially over.

    I had my meeting with the Military Police Complaints Commission today. It did not go well right from the start.

    The run down is basically this.

    There was no sexual assault occurring between myself and the babysitter, we were just sexually ‘experimenting’. You know, kids will be kids. Doesn’t matter if he was 15 and I was 8 and he was in a position of authority over me.

    Next, when his sister caught us together in his bedroom, all those witnesses she called to come over and see what her brother had been doing? Useless. UNless the witnesses were in the bedroom watching him have sex with me, anything they had to say would be simple hearsay

    It’s no use filing a complaint against, he’s dead.

    So… looks like the military has won.

    So, that means that I have nothing left to offer here.
    Thanks Sylvia for this board. At least I was able to learn the true and full extent of what happened on CFB Edmonton from 1978 until 1980.

    Goodbye for now, I’ll still lurk around, but I’m done with communicating.

  33. Bobbie Bees says:

    *Oooppps Typo……

    It’s no use filing a complaint against, he’s dead.

    should read:

    It’s no use filing a complaint against McRae, he’s dead.

    And of course the only witness to what McRae may have been doing to me after the ‘juice’ is none other than the babysitter himself.

  34. PJ says:

    So sorry to hear this…frustrating when things seem to fall apart. No matter the outcome, your bravery to come forward and pursue this is admirable. Although your case seems to end here, it might still be the catalyst for someone else to have the courage to step out. God bless you.

  35. Sylvia says:

    Did a military police officer or someone from the [police complaints commission actually tell you Bobbie that a 15-year-old boy sexually abusing an 8-year-old boy  is no more than a case of experimenting?  That doesn’t sit right with me at all.

  36. Bobbie Bees says:

    *Yes, this was one of the investigators with the Military Police Complaints Commission. Yes apparently the babysitter and I were just experimenting like children often do. Also, because there were no direct witnesses to the events, there’s no proof.

    It was almost as if our meeting on Thursday was not to get my side of the complaint but was for the investigators to tell me why CFNIS was faultless. They even said that maybe at the conclusion of the investigation, some small changes to future investigations will be implemented, but for the most part there is absolutely nothing wrong with the 2011 investigation.

    I am so tired right now Sylvia.

    I’m so numb and so nauseated.

  37. Sylvia says:

    Bobbie,   I still have trouble accepting the fact that your allegations are rationalized by anyone as a 15-year-old baby-sitter and an eight-year-old child experimenting.  If this is all tied into going soft on young offenders then perhaps your mission can be to strive to make changes to the law to ensure no one else is ever in your shoes?  You have a good head on your shoulders, and you have learned a lot in your search for justice.  The doors of justice seem to have closed in your face.  Perhaps the thing to do now is use what you have learned for good?  Perhaps you can work to ensure that there is justice for others? I believe you are more than capable of making a difference.

  38. Bobbie Bees says:

    *”Bobbie,   I still have trouble accepting the fact that your allegations
    are rationalized by anyone as a 15-year-old baby-sitter and an
    eight-year-old child experimenting. “

    I can assure you Sylvia that this was expressed during my meeting with the investigators from the MPCC. Peter asked me what my greatest fear for the outcome of the investigation was. I said “That what the babysitter had done to me would be passed off as being nothing more than two kids experimenting”. He replied “Well, maybe that’s all it was, you two were children, weren’t you?”

    “If this is all tied into going soft on young offenders then perhaps your
    mission can be to strive to make changes to the law to ensure no one
    else is ever in your shoes?” 

    The babysitter was 15 when he was caught buggering me. This has absolutely nothing to do with the Young Offenders Act, that wasn’t even in place in 1980, the YOA came in in 1984. No, my case has to do with dysfunction in the military justice system. Even Dr. Chris Madsen of the Canadian Military College agrees with my assertion that the military has absolutely no business dealing with the 1980 investigation or the 2011 investigation.

    “You have a good head on your shoulders, and you have learned a lot in your search for justice. “

    My head has also become very tied, weary and disillusioned. There is no justice for people like me. Lawyers want fists filled with cash before they even think of going for justice. The military gives not a single rats ass for justice or truth. It only cares about it’s image and prestige, to hell with everything else.

    “I believe you are more than capable of making a difference.”

    Again Sylvia, there is no way I can make a difference. The only way I could get media attention on this and force this issue  into the day light is to  go on a hunger strike. But even then I would be portrayed as some sort of lunatic. I am a 40 year old loser with no money and nothing to my name. I just survive on a daily basis.

  39. Sylvia says:

    Perhaps you could consider starting a blog Bobbie?  That would give you opportunity to voice your concerns and connect with others who have concerns about the military similar to yours.  Who knows what might come of it?

    It needn’t cost you a penny.  You can find places online where you can set up and run a blog at no cost.

    Every person can make a difference Bobbie – you included.   

  40. Bobbie Bees says:

    *Yeah, I suppose that I will have to do something along those lines……….. I think maybe this year I’m going to have to make a pain in the ass of myself at the Armed Forces Recruiting booth at the pride festival this weekend. I wonder just how annoying I can be to the personnel at the booth.

  41. Bobbie Bees says:

    *Sylvia, does the name Colonel Dan Monroe ring a bell?

    Oh, and McRae’s Commanding Officer WAS the Base Commander.

  42. Sylvia says:

    Off the top of my head I don’t think I know the name Colonel Dan Monroe Bobbie.  

     FYI everyone, Bobbie has started a blogsite.  Here is the url: http://cfbnamao.blogspot.ca/

    Well done Bobbie!  Good luck, and keep in touch 🙂

  43. Bobbie Bees says:

    *OMG……

    Well, first, thanks for the wishes Sylvia, I’ll try to publish the blog for as long as I can.

    But now I’ve stumbled across an issue that I think may be causing me some problems.

    This is an old article, but I think it may be somewhat relevant.

    http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/macleans/cfb-gagetown-rape-controversy

    Read that article and pay close attention to the last two paragraphs.

    I think this is why I’m not having any success, I think the Alberta Crown may have waived civilian jurisdiction over my case and handed jurisdiction over to the military police. And the military police have done what they were ordered to do and that is to bury this issue.

  44. Bobbie Bees says:

    *Sorry, that should read paragraphs 13 & 14. I didn’t pay attention to the second page.

  45. Sylvia says:

    I don’t know Bobbie.  I suppose it’s suppose it’s possible, but I think you would need some proof before even going in that direction. 

  46. Bobbie Bees says:

    *Well Sylvia, long time no chat…..
    Lots of things have changed since August 8th.  I’ve contacted a base brat who was also molested by the babysitter and by McRae. This base brat remembers me. He also just recently started to try and deal with the problems the untreated and hidden abuse created for him.

    I was finally able to track down my brother Scott, whom I haven’t spoken to in quite some time.

    He was angry as hell when he started reading my blog. The babysitter and McRae he thought were just a bad dream. He said to me “So, the monster in my bed wasn’t a nightmare”.

    He was also quite pleased to discover that our family was officially described as ‘dysfunctional’ by social services in two different provinces and that our father was indicated as the cause of the issues. My brother never knew all these years that our family had been involved with social services right after CFB Namao.

    Oh….. and I have a gift from my father…. coronary heart disease. It hit me during a bicycle ride on August 31st. I’ve been on heart meds since and I go for angio on Oct. 18th.

    Anyways, yeah, my fears of the military and the chain of command have somewhat been realized. The Military Police Complaints Commission currently has an inquiry going on over the suicide of Corporal Stuart Langridge at CFB Edmonton, formerly CFB Namao. (That sure seems to be one evil little military base). Anyways, in testimony before the MPCC Sgt. Ritco testified that he was ordered to rewrite the notes of his investigation and to leave out any mention of suicide or that a suicide watch was in place for Cpl. Langridge. Sgt. Ritco was then ordered to sign his ‘new’ report. So much for CFNIS being independent of the chain of command.

    I also have been a bust little beaver on my blog.
    http://cfbnamao.blogspot.ca/2012/10/a-letter-to-romeo-dallaire.html

    and check this page out:
    http://cfbnamao.blogspot.ca/2012/09/yet-another-sad-newspaper-article.html

    Cheers for now Sylvia.

  47. Carlos says:

    Well, I don’t know where to start. I have always wondered what happened to father McRae. Why do I remember him as John A McRae? Did he go by John for awhile?
    I was a parishioner at St Thomas Moore and a student at St. Edmund Campion. Father McRae was our Confirmation priest for my grade 8 class. We were 13, he loved hanging out with us in his addidas jacket and driving around in his Laser. When I heard about his charges on the two young brothers I was not surprised, in fact I remember hearing it on the radio and saying his name along with the broadcast as the news broke.
    He did not molest me, but once while giving me a ride home from near the church where I was walking, he reached over and left his hand on my leg for a few seconds more than was comfortable, I quickly shoved it away. Did he play for the Toronto Maple Leafs at some point in his life? I remember pictures. Did I mention he actually had dinner at my house?! He spent a great deal of time with our class.
    I tried to find him several times after the charges, I guess I wanted to confront him and hear what he had to say for himself. I never got a response from St Thomas Moore parish after they sent him out west. I didn’t know he had been suspended, I thought he had gone to continue working for the church.
    He hurt all these people and deceived so many others…and what a very long life he had.
    I am so sorry to read of all these horrors and hope that the church and military get their due. I no longer consider myself RC , I abandoned the church after learning of this nightmare and the monster who had been so close to us.
    My heart goes out to all of you. I am off to read Bobby’s blog. Thank you, Sylvia for posting the obit and for your site.

  48. Loyd Haffey says:

    this is the second time I,ve said anything. Father McRea was a damn molester. Loyd Haffey is my correct name

  49. Female says:

    I was a student at St Edmond Campion in Scarborough in 1985/86 and a parishioner at St Thomas Moore. McRae was asked by my parents to counsel me as I was getting beaten up everyday in grade 4 and was becoming very depressed and angry. I spent hours and hours alone with this man in a room across the hall from the kindergarten room behind closed doors. He would also “show up” at my bus stop and offer me rides home in some red sports like car–I would turn him down by saying how much I love the bus and I wanted to listen to my walk-man, but that I would see him at our next appointment. He never like this answer! This was ongoing.
    I am only now searching out counseling to help deal with the flashbacks. I know it appears he only liked boys but I am here to say that is simply not the case.
    He did not discriminate–or he just took a shinning to me because I was an easy target and my parents thought he was incredible—even having him over for dinner on a few occasions to talk about what to “do with me”.
    I don’t know what to do about this. Should I be reporting this? I could really use some direction here.

    • Miecul says:

      They definitely know which ones to pick on, the easy targets, the troubled child, too troubled to be believed if it had of been reported at that time. Many of us here are in the same ship. I commend you on taking the steps to seek counselling. They will give you the tools to help you through this ordeal. I also went to group therapy. I really didn’t want to go at first, but I’m glad I did in the end.

      The flashbacks are a nightmare and everyone deals with the abuse the best way one can. I lived a life full of drugs and alcohol. It was a bandaid over a large incision. It did a lot more damage than it ever did good, but it did cover up the pain, and that’s all I cared about.

      As far as reporting it. All crime should be reported. With that said you need to weigh the cost of coming forward. Your predator is dead, so he’s already doing taking dirt nap. This might help in the healing process, but you need to talk to your therapist. Other’s here might have a better understanding about a situation like yours. In my very own opinion. I would tell you, you’ve been quiet for long enough. Good luck F.

    • Sylvia says:

      Because Father McCrae is dead you can not pursue criminal charges. However, if he sexually abused you can launch a lawsuit against the Archdioceses of Edmonton and Toronto. Contact a lawyer and talk it over.

  50. JG says:

    …”an easy target and my parents thought he was incredible—even having him over for dinner on a few occasions to talk about what to “do with me”…

    Female,
    That sounds so typical of so many similar “approaches” by these predators. I don’t know how many times the dinner invitation and the charm were used to infiltrate a family…just from the abuses reported on this site over the last 3-4 years…
    “I don’t know what to do about this. Should I be reporting this? I could really use some direction here.”
    Get rid of the fear, get rid of that gag reflex every time you revisit the aggressions: just as you would do with a dirty blouse, as you would need when you step into the shower…You know how that feels!…Pretty good, I think, like you are a new person! Don’t keep it hidden, bring it out in the open. As Sylvia says, talk to a lawyer or a therapist, a friend…
    Get rid of the dirty feeling, the fear, the “constriction”… Talking or reporting it will give you your life back. You will probably stop biting your nails as a result and rediscover yourself, with all the qualities that were covered up by “his”dirt…Wash it off! Speak-up!

    Welcome to your life!
    It wasn’t your fault…and you are not alone!
    Be brave and “roar”…
    jg

  51. justme says:

    I was on the base when this happened

  52. Paul Brian Iglesias says:

    I was an alter boy. I haven’t any closure myself for the awkward times he put the rest of us through……thinking he was just very kind and affectionate with us…. Like a Father, maybe? I was only ten and didn’t really understand it until my older sister questioned me after her friend became a victim…. Then I started to understand….a little bit…
    This experience in my life has no doubt stolen the most sacred thing from me… And that’s my relationship with Jesus.. all the years of hating religion, has only hurt myself…. It cut me short of our God’s grace…because I stopped believing… I even said some bad things and I can only hope the Lord vouches for my forgiveness…….
    So I forgive Father McCrae for his transgressions onto me and leading me into sacrilege the times he did… And I just want him and whoever to know….. I grew up messed up because of that……. But now I finally have the holy Spirit within me and I nurture my relationship with the Lord daily and praise God everyday…
    I was reborn, born of the spirit…and Jesus has healed me and filled my life with all the joys that were once stolen from me……

    I forgive you

  53. Loretta Merritt says:

    Bobby Garnet Bees, there is a civil case where the priest abused a child and the child abused his sibling and the Church was responsible for the abuse of both children. J.R.S. v Glendinning. There is also a civil case where the court talks about a responsibility of a brother aged 8 to 16 abusing his younger brother ages 4 to 12. see below- from something I wrote years ago.
    THE CAPACITY OF MINORS TO COMMIT A TORT
    There is no age limit below which a child is automatically absolved of civil liability for torts. Therefore, the real issue in cases involving a minor defendant is whether or not the defendant was capable of forming the intent required for the tort in question.

    A defendant will be liable for the tort of battery upon proof of a violation of the plaintiff’s right to personal autonomy and physical inviolability, regardless of the defendant’s level of culpability or intention to cause harm. Consequently, touching of a sexual nature or any direct physical interference with a plaintiff’s body will automatically result in liability, unless the defendant can prove that the plaintiff consented.

    A child under the age of 14 is not able to consent to sexual contact. Further, in situations where one of the parties holds a position of influence or power over the other, that influence may negate any apparent consent.

    A. CASE LAW

    T.O. v. J.H.O. [2006] B.C.J. No. 759 (B.C.S.C.)

    • In this case, the plaintiff claimed general and punitive damages for sexual battery by his older brother.
    • The Statement of Claim alleged that, between the ages of four and twelve, the plaintiff was repeatedly sexually abused by the defendant, his brother, who was four years older than the plaintiff. The defendant admitted to sexual contact with the plaintiff but he denied that he ever bribed or threatened his brother. Rather, he maintained that the contact was consensual and he only understood that his actions were wrong after the contact had ceased.
    • The issue in this case was whether or not the defendant could be held liable for sexual battery, considering that he was a minor at the time of the sexual contact.
    • The Court considered cases such as Pollock v. Lipkowitz (1970), 17 D.L.R. (3d) 766, for the proposition that the age of a defendant is only a consideration if it proves that the child was incapable of forming the requisite intent to commit the intentional tort in question. For example, in Tillander v. Gosselin, [1967] 1 O.R. 203 (Ont. H.C.J.), The Court held that the three year old defendant could not be liable for assault since his actions could be neither negligent, as he was incapable of exercising reasonable care, nor intentional, as he was unable to appreciate their harmful nature. The Court rejected this major change in the law.
    • The Court applied the traditional approach to cases of battery as set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in Non-Marine Underwriters, Llyod’s of London v. Scalera, [2000] 1 S.C.R. 551. Accordingly, the plaintiff only had to prove that there was conscious, direct physical interference with his body, but he did not need to establish the defendant’s level of culpability or an intention to cause him harm.
    • As a result of the defendant’s admission that he voluntarily and purposefully initiated sexual contact with the plaintiff, the Court held that the defendant had acted with the requisite intent for the tort of battery. The Court stated that the defendant’s age or understanding as to the nature and consequences of his actions were immaterial considerations. However, the Court went on to state that even if these factors were taken into account, there was evidence showing that the defendant understood the sexual nature of his actions, even if he could not appreciate their harmful effect on his brother. Further, he knew that his father would be angry if he learned about the sexual activity.
    • Since the plaintiff established a prima facie case of sexual battery, the defendant could only avoid liability if he proved that the plaintiff had legally consented to the sexual contact.
    • The Court stated that in a civil action for sexual battery, the age of consent should be set at 14 years, as per the criminal age of consent. Further, the Court cited Norbert v. Wynrib, [1992] 2 S.C.R. 226, 92 D.L.R. (4th) 449 at para. 34, for the proposition that in certain circumstances, “consent will be considered to be legally ineffective if it can be shown that there was such a disparity in the relative positions of the parties that the weaker party was not in a position to choose freely.”
    • The Court found that the plaintiff was incapable of legally consenting because he was only six or seven years old when the sexual abuse commenced. However, the Court went on to state that even if the plaintiff had been legally able to consent, the disparity between their ages and their positions occupied in their family would have been sufficient to negate that consent.
    • The Court awarded $40,000 for general damages.

  54. Phil Johnson says:

    As a veteran and abuse survivor, this sickens me! What is the military covering up? They are acting like that church protecting it’s pervert collars!

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