Brian Joseph Dunn
Encyclopedia
Brian Joseph Dunn is the current Roman Catholic
Bishop of Antigonish.
Born in St. John's
, Newfoundland and Labrador
, Dunn was raised in the mining community of Buchans
where he attended primary and elementary school before moving to the fishing community of Harbour Grace
where he attended secondary school.
for one year before transferring to King's University College
of the University of Western Ontario
where he graduated with a B.A. in 1976. Dunn completed seminary formation at St. Peter's Seminary
, graduating with a M.Div. in 1979. Dunn undertook post-graduate studies and graduated with a J.C.L. and J.C.D. from St. Paul University
in 1990 and 1991 respectively. He completed a M.Th. at University of Notre Dame
in 2006.
on August 28, 1980, where he served as an associate pastor at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Grand Falls-Windsor
from 1980-1985.
He then served as pastor of St. Gabriel's Parish in St. Brendan's
from 1985-1988, and then as pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Grand Falls from 1991-1996. He was subsequently pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Harbour Breton
from 1996-1999, followed by the position of pastor for both Holy Cross Parish in Holyrood
and St. Peter and St. Paul Parish in Harbour Main from 1999-2002.
Dunn served the Diocese of Grand Falls as Vice-chancellor (1980-1996), Chancellor (1996-2008), member of the College of Consultors (1991-2002), Bishop's Canonical Advisor (1990-2008), Judge for the Marriage Tribunal (1990-2008), and Associate Judicial Vicar of the Marriage Tribunal (2002-2008).
In 2008, he was appointed to the Diocese of Sault Sainte Marie
as an auxiliary bishop, having been ordained as bishop at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Grand Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador on October 9.
On November 21, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI
appointed Dunn to the Diocese of Antigonish as the permanent replacement for the former Bishop Raymond Lahey
. Dunn was installed in a ceremony on January 25, 2010, replacing Apostolic Administrator, Archbishop Anthony Mancini
. He also automatically became Chancellor
of St. Francis Xavier University
, since the office of Bishop of Antigonish has historically been linked to St. Francis Xavier University with the current bishop always serving as the university's chancellor.
(1992-1999) for the Diploma Program for Theology and Ministry, lecturer in the Faculty of Canon Law at St. Paul University
(2003-2004, 2007), and served on the faculty at St. Peter's Seminary
(2002-2008) where he taught courses in Canon Law, Ecumenism, Ecclesiology, and Liturgical Law; he served as Dean of Studies from 2005-2008.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
Bishop of Antigonish.
Born in St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Dunn was raised in the mining community of Buchans
Buchans, Newfoundland and Labrador
Buchans is a Canadian town located in the central part of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is situated on the northwest shore of Red Indian Lake on the Buchans River....
where he attended primary and elementary school before moving to the fishing community of Harbour Grace
Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador
Harbour Grace is a town in Conception Bay on the Avalon Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. With roots dating back to the sixteenth century, it is one of the oldest towns in North America. It is located about 45 km northwest of the provincial capital, St. John's...
where he attended secondary school.
Education
Dunn attended Memorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
for one year before transferring to King's University College
King's University College (University of Western Ontario)
This article refers to the King's College in London, Ontario. For the King's College in London, England, see King's College LondonKing's University College is a Catholic, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the University of Western Ontario.-History:It was founded as the "College of...
of the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
where he graduated with a B.A. in 1976. Dunn completed seminary formation at St. Peter's Seminary
St. Peter's Seminary (Diocese of London, Ontario)
St. Peter's Seminary is a Roman Catholic seminary located in the Diocese of London, Ontario, Canada. The Seminary is a fully accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools of the United States and Canada. St. Peter's Seminary is the major seminary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of...
, graduating with a M.Div. in 1979. Dunn undertook post-graduate studies and graduated with a J.C.L. and J.C.D. from St. Paul University
Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University is a Catholic Pontifical university federated with the University of Ottawa. It is located on Main Street in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and has been entrusted for more than a century to the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
in 1990 and 1991 respectively. He completed a M.Th. at University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
in 2006.
Pastoral career
Dunn was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Grand FallsRoman Catholic Diocese of Grand Falls
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Falls is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Saint John's, Newfoundland. It was renamed as the Diocese of Harbour Grace-Grand Falls on 22 February 1958 then as the Diocese of Grand Falls on 30 Oct 1964...
on August 28, 1980, where he served as an associate pastor at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Grand Falls-Windsor
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador
Grand Falls-Windsor is a town of 13,558 people located in the central region of the island of Newfoundland in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The town is the largest in the central region, the fifth largest in the province, and is home to the annual Exploits Valley Salmon Festival...
from 1980-1985.
He then served as pastor of St. Gabriel's Parish in St. Brendan's
St. Brendan's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. Brendan's is a town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The town had a population of 203 in the Canada 2006 Census.-See also:* List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador...
from 1985-1988, and then as pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Grand Falls from 1991-1996. He was subsequently pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Harbour Breton
Harbour Breton, Newfoundland and Labrador
Harbour Breton is a small fishing community on the Connaigre Peninsula in Fortune Bay, on the south coast of the island of Newfoundland in Canada. It is the largest center on the Connaigre Peninsula and was long considered the unofficial capital of Fortune Bay...
from 1996-1999, followed by the position of pastor for both Holy Cross Parish in Holyrood
Holyrood, Newfoundland and Labrador
Holyrood is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is in Division No. 1, on Conception Bay. During King William's War, the village was destroyed in the Avalon Peninsula Campaign....
and St. Peter and St. Paul Parish in Harbour Main from 1999-2002.
Dunn served the Diocese of Grand Falls as Vice-chancellor (1980-1996), Chancellor (1996-2008), member of the College of Consultors (1991-2002), Bishop's Canonical Advisor (1990-2008), Judge for the Marriage Tribunal (1990-2008), and Associate Judicial Vicar of the Marriage Tribunal (2002-2008).
In 2008, he was appointed to the Diocese of Sault Sainte Marie
Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario
The Diocese of Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario was decreed on September 16, 1904 and is formed by the southern portions of the districts of Thunder Bay, Algoma, Sudbury and Nipissing....
as an auxiliary bishop, having been ordained as bishop at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Grand Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador on October 9.
On November 21, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
appointed Dunn to the Diocese of Antigonish as the permanent replacement for the former Bishop Raymond Lahey
Raymond Lahey
Raymond John Lahey B.Th. L.Th. Ph.D. D.D. is Roman Catholic Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Antigonish in Nova Scotia. Lahey resigned from his position at the Catholic Church after being charged with possession of child pornography when members of the Canada Border Services Agency discovered...
. Dunn was installed in a ceremony on January 25, 2010, replacing Apostolic Administrator, Archbishop Anthony Mancini
Anthony Mancini
Anthony Mancini is a Canadian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who serves as the current Archbishop of Halifax, as well as the apostolic administrator of the diocese of Yarmouth....
. He also automatically became Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
, since the office of Bishop of Antigonish has historically been linked to St. Francis Xavier University with the current bishop always serving as the university's chancellor.
Educator
Dunn has also served a lecturer with the Atlantic School of TheologyAtlantic School of Theology
The Atlantic School of Theology is a Canadian ecumenical university which provides "graduate level theological education and research, and in formation for Christian ministries, lay and ordained, in church and society, primarily in Atlantic Canada". It is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia and its...
(1992-1999) for the Diploma Program for Theology and Ministry, lecturer in the Faculty of Canon Law at St. Paul University
Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University is a Catholic Pontifical university federated with the University of Ottawa. It is located on Main Street in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and has been entrusted for more than a century to the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
(2003-2004, 2007), and served on the faculty at St. Peter's Seminary
St. Peter's Seminary (Diocese of London, Ontario)
St. Peter's Seminary is a Roman Catholic seminary located in the Diocese of London, Ontario, Canada. The Seminary is a fully accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools of the United States and Canada. St. Peter's Seminary is the major seminary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of...
(2002-2008) where he taught courses in Canon Law, Ecumenism, Ecclesiology, and Liturgical Law; he served as Dean of Studies from 2005-2008.