Stuart Macdonald Fired from College, Faces Police Probe
By Ray Spiteri
A Roman Catholic priest who recently worked in Niagara Falls is being investigated by police in a Wyoming city following allegations of misconduct levelled against him by the college where he worked. Lander Police Chief Jim Carey confirmed to The Review his department is investigating Rev. Stuart MacDonald, a former priest at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic church on Dorchester Rd. and most recently the chaplain at Wyoming Catholic College. A statement released by Wyoming Catholic College said that effective Nov. 19, “Reverend Stuart MacDonald is dismissed from service to the college as chaplain.” It adds his dismissal was subsequent “to an internal investigation by the college which revealed Reverend MacDonald’s improper conduct and language with the college’s students and a pattern of behaviour unacceptable as a Catholic college chaplain.” The college was also taking steps to communicate this information within the college community, while reaching out to their students to affirm their needs at this time. The statement noted government officials had been notified that MacDonald’s employment visa should be terminated. Neither the college nor the police would elaborate on the “improper conduct” allegations against MacDonald, other than to say they’re related to misconduct. Carey said the police were dealing with them in an “open investigation.” He would not say when the police investigation began, but said it was prior to an anonymous letter containing allegations against MacDonald that was sent to several news outlets in the Wyoming area last week. “We are allowing the investigation to continue. We are hoping for some form of closure in the very near future — I would hope before the end of the year,” said Carey. “We plan to release more information pertaining to this investigation in the near future.” A statement issued by the Chancery Office of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Catharines said MacDonald was given permission by Bishop Gerard Bergie to leave the diocese, which serves the Niagara region, in September 2012 to take up the position of chaplain at Wyoming Catholic. “The Diocese understands that he has now left that position at the college,” that statement says. The diocese takes “all allegations of inappropriate behaviour on the part of any clergy, staff or volunteers very seriously,” it adds. “No determination has been made as to whether Rev. MacDonald will be returning to any position in the diocese, or assuming any responsibilities within the diocese.” According to a blog written by MacDonald, called Musings of a Canonist, he holds a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he is also registered as a doctoral student. Ordained in 1997, he has worked in parish ministry for many years. That section of his blog appeared to have been removed Friday afternoon. In a post dated July 17, 2012, MacDonald wrote he was “busy packing my belongings preparing to move to a new assignment. “Next month, I will be moving to Wyoming to become the chaplain at Wyoming Catholic College, a wonderful, new-ish endeavour in Catholic education. I’m very excited about my new home and new work.” Attempts to contact MacDonald through Wyoming Catholic College, the Diocese of St. Catharines, St. Thomas More Church in Niagara Falls and by email have not been successful. Contact: nfr.citydesk@sunmedia.ca
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