Edward Joseph McCarthy was born on January 25, 1850, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He dedicated his life to the Catholic Church, beginning his education at St. Mary's College before furthering his studies at the Grand Seminary of Montreal. His commitment to the priesthood culminated in his ordination on July 9, 1874.
In 1906, McCarthy was appointed Archbishop of Halifax, succeeding Cornelius O'Brien. His leadership was marked by significant contributions to the Catholic community, including the consecration of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Halifax on July 14, 1910. This event was a pivotal moment in the archdiocese's history.
In addition to his ecclesiastical duties, McCarthy played a vital role in supporting immigrants through his involvement with the Catholic Emigration Association of Canada in 1913. This organization aimed to help immigrants maintain their connections to Catholicism and encouraged them to settle in communities where they could communicate in their native languages.