J. Errol MacDonald
Priest Diocese of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Ordained 1989. Charged 1995. CONVICTED for sex abuse of two boys . The abuse transpired while MacDonald was a teacher and prior to his ordination. Sentenced to one year in prison and 2 years probation. Currently active as a parish priest in the Diocese of Antigonish. There are no restrictions on MacDonald’s interaction with children.
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Bishops of Antigonish Diocese from the time of MacDonald’s ordination: Colin Campbell (12 December 1986 – 26 October 2002); Raymond John Lahey (05 April 2003 – 26 September 2009); Brian Joseph Dunn (21 Nov 2009 – – )
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30 May 2011: BLOG Bad news
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The following information is drawn from Canadian Catholic Directories (CCCD) of that date and media (M)
2015: Not listed in directory
2014, 2013: Address on Dalton’s Lane in Sydney, NS
2012: address in Jamesville, NS
August 2011: according to a comment posted on site retired – replaced by Father Paul Murphy
2011, 2010: Pastor, Holy Redeemer RC Church, Whitney Pier, Sydney, Nova Scotia, and St. Nicholas RC Church, Sydney, Nova Scotia
2002, 2000, 1999: Pastor, Holy Redeemer RC Church, Whitney Pier, Sydney, Nova Scotia, and St. Nicholas RC Church, Sydney, Nova Scotia
1998. 1997, 1996: 119 Dorchester St., Glace Bay, 902-849-8891
CONVICTED – One year prison and 2 years probation
Sent to clinic in United States for 6 months treatment after charges laid
1995: Charged (M)
1995: address for Diocese of Antigonish diocesan centre (CCCD)
1994, 1993, 1992: Pastor, Holy Guardian Angels RC Church, L’Ardoise, Nova Scotia (CCCD)
1991: Saint Anthony Daniel RC Church, Sydney, Nova Scotia with mission at Saint Anne in Membertou (Pastor Father J. Kyte Gillis) (CCCD)
1989: ORDAINED (a very late vocation. If my math is right Father MacDonald must have been well in his 40s when he was ordained?)
early 70s: before pursing ordination Errol MacDonald was a teacher. Where he taught and which grades unknown at this time. Convictions for sex abuse of two boys relate to his time teaching in 1969 and the early 70s.
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Priest’s gross indecency convictions not a secret: parish council
CBC News
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 | 11:41 PM AT
The chair of the parish council of Holy Redeemer Parish in Sydney, N.S., says the group knew their priest had two convictions for gross indecency involving young people when he joined their church more than 10 years ago.
Father Errol MacDonald, 64, was charged with gross indecency in 1995 for incidents that occurred in 1969 and the early 70s when he was a teacher, before he joined the seminary in 1980s.
Court documents detailed two incidents involving two different boys — the evidence in the first case described fondling and the second case involved oral and anal sex.
When the charges were laid, MacDonald informed the diocese of Antigonish and was sent to a clinic in the United States for six months of treatment. He was then sentenced to a year in prison and two years’ probation.
At a time when Roman Catholic parishes across Nova Scotia and Newfoundland are reeling from allegations that one of their bishops, Raymond Lahey, possessed child pornography, the parish council at Holy Redeemer says what’s in the past is done.
Jean Murphy, the chair of the parish council, said members of the council were told of MacDonald’s convictions when they were approached about him becoming their priest.
“I know that the parish council were fully aware and they were representing the parish so they made the decision on behalf of the parish,” she said.
Father Paul Abbass, the spokesman for the diocese of Antigonish, said the church believes in redemption and healing and he has no concerns about MacDonald’s presence at Holy Redeemer.
“It is possible for a priest or another employee, actually, who has had a charge like that or a conviction to re-enter the ministry or to be further employed with us, if and when they have met all of the criteria of the policy itself,” he said.
Murphy said there are no restrictions on MacDonald’s interaction with children.
“You know, we all have the right to move on in our lives and if we make errors, I would hope that somebody would be able to forgive us,” she said.
I have been told that prior to pursuing studies for the presthood Errol MacDonald taught at S. Anthony’s school in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia
Errol taught at MacKays corner school in Glace Bay N.S. in the 1960s. He was reportedly, very abusive physically.
St Anthony’s also
Errol taught in Makays corner. Would have out bursts and very abusive . Especially against anyone who would joke or make fun at him. Remember one time he had flipped out when a comment was made that he had worn two different colored socks to school. But he did have his pets with some people.
Elaine Andrews says:
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November 11, 2014 at 1:02 am
Errol taught in Makays corner. Would have out bursts and very abusive . Especially against anyone who would joke or make fun at him. Remember one time he had flipped out when a comment was made that he had worn two different colored socks to school. But he did have his pets with some people.