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	Ontario Man Claims Abuse by Late Charlottetown Bishop By Jim Day The Guardian January 4, 2011 http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/1969-12-31/article-2088559/Ontario-man-claims-abuse-by-late-Charlottetown-bishop/1 Plaintiff alleges sexual abuse by Rev. Malcolm MacEachern in Cape Breton in 1950s Topics : Roman Catholic Diocese , Supreme Court , RCMP , Charlottetown , Ontario , Antigonish A long-serving bishop of Charlottetown who died in 1982 is now at the centre of a sexual abuse claim. An Ontario man has filed a lawsuit against Nova Scotia's Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish, alleging one of its former priests sexually abused him as a child. The 69-year-old man alleges he was abused in the early 1950s by Rev. Malcolm MacEachern, who was the priest of Mount Carmel parish in New Waterford, N.S., at the time. MacEachern served as Bishop of Charlottetown from 1955 to 1970. The plaintiff, who lives in Hamilton, alleges in the statement of claim that the abuse began around 1953. He says he was about 11 years old and an altar server at the church at the time and he claims the abuse continued for about two years. None of the allegations contained in the suit filed last Thursday in the province's Supreme Court have been proven. The plaintiff is seeking $1.75 million in damages. The diocese is trying to raise money for a $15-million settlement with victims of alleged sexual abuse in a separate matter. Bishop Raymond Lahey, who helped negotiate the settlement, faces a trial of his own next year on charges of possessing and importing child pornography in 2009. Also, RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador continue to investigate reports of criminal behaviour by Rev. George Smith, who was removed last year from his duties as administrator at St. Malachy's in Kinkora after church officials received a call from the diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador regarding an allegation of abuse. Further persons have since come forward to allege they were sexually abused years ago by Smith. During MacEachern's years as bishop of Charlottetown, two new parishes were established, a new Sacred Heart Home and bishop's residence and chancery were constructed along with five new buildings at the former St. Dunstan's University. He retired in 1970 and moved to Antigonish. He died at St. Martha's Hospital there on March 28, 1982. Contact: jday@theguardian.pe.ca
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