No Charges against Macdonald, Police Say
By Tony Ricciuto
Police in Wyoming have concluded their investigation and no criminal charges are being filed against a former Niagara Falls Roman Catholic priest who was dismissed last month from his chaplain’s post at Wyoming Catholic College. Lander, Wyo., police Chief Jim Carey told The Review Friday they have closed their investigation involving Rev. Stuart MacDonald. “From the evidence and statements that we have received, we are not filing any criminal charges due to the fact we do not believe a criminal act was committed, however inappropriate, not criminal,” said Carey. MacDonald, who was the pastor at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic church on Dorchester Rd., had been given permission in September by Bishop Gerard Bergie to leave the Diocese of St. Catharines to take up the position of chaplain at Wyoming Catholic College. Carey said his police force had one complainant, a former male student from the college, and their investigation looked at “allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol use.” Carey said the college conducted its own investigation, while the police investigated the case from a criminal standpoint, and “the school obviously took their own action.” An earlier statement released by Wyoming Catholic College said that effective Nov. 19, MacDonald was dismissed from service as their chaplain. The 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 statement said the college was also taking steps to notify government officials that MacDonald’s employment visa should be terminated. Attempts to reach the college Friday afternoon were not successful. Neither were attempts to contact MacDonald through the diocese. Contact: tony.ricciuto@sunmedia.ca
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