BishopAccountability.org
	Chaisson Replaces Suspended Kinkora Priest The Guardian May 31, 2010 http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=341628&sc=98 Rev. Gerard Chaisson has been appointed as the new parish priest at St. Malachy's Church in Kinkora, replacing Rev. George Smith, who was suspended from his duties there May 16 following an abuse allegation from an incident in Deer Lake, N.L., more than 25 years ago. Chaisson was pastor at Immaculate Heart in Wellington/Richmond and pastoral administrator at St. Patrick's in Grand River. Prior to that, he served at St. Pius X in Parkdale. Chaisson will also serve in St. Peter's, Seven Mile Bay. The traditional June clergy changes were confirmed by Bishop Richard Grecco following the annual retreat of diocesan priests at Belcourt Lodge in South Rustico last week. Various clergy affected by the changes informed their parishioners over the weekend at Saturday and Sunday masses. The changes become effective June 17. Grecco had said last week that a replacement for Smith would be announced. Smith was relieved of his duties May 16, two days after Grecco received a phone call from the bishop in Corner Brook about an allegation of inappropriate sexual touching in Deer Lake when Smith was posted there in the late 1980s. Smith was transferred to P.E.I. in 1994 and served in several Island parishes, including St. Pius X in Parkdale, Holy Family/St. Mary's in Kensington, St. Theresa The Little Flower in Morell and St. Dunstan's in Charlottetown. Smith had then retired but came out of retirement last November to accept the position of administrator in St. Malachy's in Kinkora and St. Peter's in Seven Mile Bay. Other clergy affected by the changes include Rev. Danny Wilson, parish priest at St. Dunstan's, who is taking a six-month sabbatical. He is expected to be appointed to a western P.E.I. parish in early 2011. Rev. Floyd Gallant, pastor at Holy Redeemer in Charlottetown, moves to take over St. Dunstan's. Rev. Jacques Rigaud, associate pastor at Holy Redeemer, is moving to become associate pastor at Sacred Heart in Alberton to assist Rev. Michel Painchaud who has several parishes and mission churches in that area. Moving to Holy Redeemer are two Carmelite Order priests from overseas who have served in the Toronto Archdiocese for a number of years Newly ordained Rev. Chris Sherren is the associate pastor at St. Pius X. Rev. John Molina, parish priest at St. Theresa The Little Flower in Morell, St. Lawrence O'Toole in Green Meadows and St. Peter's in St. Peter's Bay, is granted leave to study canon law in Ottawa. Moving to the three parishes served by Molina is Rev. Gregory Conway, who was associate pastor at Sacred Heart in Alberton. There are also several other clergy changes in Prince County. The official announcement on the complete changes is expected this week from the diocesan office.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.