Rev. Martin Joseph Caroll was born on September 12, 1942 at Castlerea, Ireland. He obtained his theological education at St. Cuthbert Seminary in Durham, England between 1964-1968 and was ordained to the priesthood on March 8, 1968 at Joseph’s Church, Huddersfiel, Yorkshire, England by Bishop William Gordon wheeler of Leeds.
Prior to coming to Edmonton, Rev. Caroll served in several parishes in the Diocese of Leeds including St. Anne's Cathedral (1968-1971), St. Theresa's Parish (1971-1975) and St. Robert's Parish (1975-1976).
Rev. Caroll arrived in Edmonton in August of 1976 and was appointed Assistant Pastor at St. Agnes Parish (1976-1977), he served as Administrator at Evansburg and Missions (1977-1981), Sunday helper at St. Matthew's Parish (1981-1982), and Assistant Rector at St. Joseph Seminary (1981-1982). On September 28, 1982 he was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Edmonton. Since then he has served at the following parishes Drayton Valley and Missions (1982-1989), Assumption (1989-1985), St. Agnus (1996-1999), St. Alphonsus and St. Paul Parish (1999-2001), St. Theresa Parish (2001-2008), St. Matthew Parish (2008-2013), Rector of St. Joseph Basilica (2013-Present).