Floyd: Father Leo Floyd

Priest, Archdiocese of Edmonton, Alberta.  Ordained 1958.  Presumably resigned after admitting to an affair with an adult woman, but is still listed in the directories as a priest

27 March 2012: Quid Novum The Catholic Archdiocese of edmonton 27 March 2012

“Helping those with ALS

“ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) is a progressive neuromuscular disease that is increasing in incidence across Alberta and Canada. Our own Father Leo Floyd has served the Edmonton ALS office for a number of years, answering the call whenever the need arises to meet with Catholics who are living with ALS. Father Leo is preparing to participate in the annual Edmonton Walk for ALS, a fundraising event on Saturday, June 9, in William Hawrelak Park, and says anyone who would like to join his team is welcome. “

2010, 2002:  908, 9918 – 101st. Street, Edmonton, Alberta 780-671-7842

25 May 2009: Archdiocese of Edmonton priest rotations 25 May 2009

“Santa Maria Goretti Parish, Edmonton

“Priests from the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception will take the responsibility of Santa Maria Goretti Parish. Our gratitude is extended to Fathers John Hesse, Leo Floyd, Shayne Craig (Sulpician), Stefano Penna and Tim Scott (Basilian) for their priestly ministry to the parish until a permanent appointment became possible. (Oct. 1)”

1998: presumably “resigned” after admitting an affair with an adult woman (M)

1998:  address c/o Edmonton diocesan centre (CCCD)

1958:  ORDAINED

_________________________

Priest leaves ministry after involvement with woman

The Edmonton Journal

10 March 1998

A prominent Edmonton priest resigned and left the ministry last week because of an admitted sexual involvement with an adult woman.

The relationship had sparked a complaint of professional misconduct.

During his seven years at Mill Woods St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church, Rev. Leo Floyd had been involved with efforts to save Grey Nuns Hospital, addressing protest crowds of 15,000 people. He battled the provincial government as it attempted to restructure Catholic school boards.

Prior to his ministry at St. Theresa’s and while a part-time chaplain at the Edmonton Institution, Floyd called for better treatment of prisoners.

“Oh my God,” Corky Meyer, a fellow organizer of the Grey Nuns rallies, said when told of Floyd’s resignation.

“I don’t know what to say. He was prominent and well thought of. I’ve never heard anything negative said about Father Floyd.”

Churchgoers got their first inkling that something was wrong Sunday when they were told there would be a gathering for any adult parishioners who wanted to learn what had happened to their regular priest.

Archbishop Joseph MacNeil told the meeting of the allegation against their priest. Floyd had acknowledged what he had done, resigned, and left the province, MacNeil said.

On Monday, the archdiocese issued a one-paragraph news release, declining further comment. Officials at St. Theresa refused comment.

“The archbishop can address it,” said Monica Kabat, chairperson of the parish committee. “We can’t deviate from the archdiocese’s policy in this matter.”

Across the street in the Desiree beauty parlour, hairdresser Rina Moss had a hard time comprehending the news. Moss cut Floyd’s hair once a month, joking with him as she worked.

“He was open-minded. You could tell him any joke pertaining to the priesthood and he’d laugh.”

But in his ministry, Floyd was all business. He presided over the December funeral of Kaylah and Brent Stace after the two children were run down at a Mill Woods crosswalk.

In April of 1995, Floyd presided over the funeral of Tina McPhee, a 14-year-old Mill Woods girl who had been found dead months after being abducted by a convicted rapist. In 1990, while a chaplain at Fort Saskatchewan Correction Centre, Floyd called for staff to become more educated on native funeral traditions so they could help aboriginal prisoners grieve.

In 1989, in his role as chairperson of the diocese’s personnel committee, Floyd oversaw preventive programs designed to help priests avoid problems of a sexual nature.

Following Floyd’s resignation, MacNeil asked for prayers for all concerned.

Rina Moss said the incident is another sign the Roman Catholic Church should follow the example of her Orthodox church, and allow priests to marry. Moss’s mother-in-law Sophie, who counts herself as a friend of Floyd’s, has trouble believing the allegations.

“I don’t know whether it’s the truth,” said Moss, the mother of 13 children, including Wayne Gretzky’s former girlfriend Vikki Moss. “Father Leo is dedicated to his people and his church. I don’t know whether it’s the truth. I just hope it isn’t.”