Daily Herald Tribune (Grand Prairie, Alberta)
20 September 1994
By Jon Harding
Staff writer
A popular Catholic priest who presided over the Holy Name Chapel at 4 Wing between August 1992 and last November has had his “priestly faculties” removed as chaplain and can no longer serve Canada’s Department of National Defence.
And at least one of Father Whalen’s former parishioners and supporters says their faith has been shaken by the turn of events following a complaint lodged against him in January 1993.
“Father Lorne’s departure was initially thought to be temporary for medical reasons (Whalen required back surgery and left for Ottawa in November 1992) but we soon learned it was a permanent transfer,” says one member of the Holy Name Church who still attends and volunteers on a regular basis.
She says information circling throughout the parish about Whalen’s permanent departure was clouded with allegations and “untold truths.”
While on medical leave, Whalen was posted in Ottawa. He found out about the complaint last May.
When contacted Friday (Sept 16) at his parents home in Killigrews, Nfld., Whalen said he was given three days by DND to respond formally to the allegations.
At 4 Wing Friday, Lt. Col. Deborah Davis confirmed that an investigation has taken place and is in fact still underway. She said the investigation is not a criminal investigation and isn’t related to the parish.
Other than that, she would not comment and directed questions to 4 Wing’s Public Affairs officer Lt. Yvonne Cooper. Because Whalen is no longer posted at 4 Wing, Cooper directed inquiries to the Chaplain General’s Office in Ottawa.
Holy Names other acting priest John Edmunds, who shared duties with Whalen during his stint at 4 Wing, wouldn’t comment on Friday either. A new priest, Father Maurice Frenette, has been posted here to take over for Whalen.
Whalen meanwhile says he had his faculties removed and cannot perform duties as a chaplain for DND. He hasn’t been discharged from the military.
Whalen also said that he was saddened by the whole affair and hopes justice will be served so his name might be cleared. ,