OTTAWA (CCN) — Archbishop Emeritus James MacDonald, who led the Catholic Church in Newfoundland and Labrador for nine years and served in senior Church roles across Canada for nearly five decades, died May 30 at age 100.
Archbishop MacDonald passed away at Hotel Dieu Shaver Hospital in St. Catharines, Ontario, following a lengthy illness, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) announced June 6.
Born April 28, 1925, in Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia, Archbishop MacDonald joined the Congregation of Holy Cross after high school and was ordained a priest June 29, 1953, in Woodstock, Ontario. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame and theological formation in Quebec.
Pope John Paul II appointed him archbishop of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, in February 1991, where he served until his resignation in 2000. He had previously served as bishop of Charlottetown (1982-1991) and as auxiliary bishop of Hamilton starting in 1978.
In his early ministry, he held teaching and leadership positions within the Congregation of Holy Cross, serving as seminary director, vocations director and personnel director. From 1969 to 1978, he was pastor of St. Michael’s Parish in Waterloo, Ontario.
Archbishop MacDonald played an extensive role in the CCCB over two decades, serving on multiple commissions and committees. Notable positions included CCCB co-treasurer (1989-1991) and CCCB delegate at the 1994 Synod of Bishops in Rome. He also served on committees addressing sexual abuse and Christian education.
In retirement, Archbishop MacDonald continued pastoral ministry in the dioceses of Hamilton and London, Ontario, while living in Windsor. In 2013, he moved into the Holy Cross community in Ontario.
St. Thomas University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1992.
According to a Facebook post by Save A Family Plan, Archbishop MacDonald was one of the founders of the Canada-based international nonprofit committed to seeking justice and working with poor and marginalized families and communities in India.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated June 7. He will be interred at Holy Cross Cemetery.
