Holy Father announces Canadian bishop appointments

Vatican City, Jul 3, 2008 / 08:45 am

Today Pope Benedict made two Canadian bishop appointments: Bishop Pierre-Andrew Fournier, as the metropolitan archbishop of Rimouski, and Bishop Pierre Morissette as the bishop of Saint-Jerome.  Both are replacing prelates who reached the age of 75, the age of resignation according to Canon Law.

Bishop Pierre-Andre Fournier will succeed Archbishop Bertrand Blanchet.  The current auxiliary of Quebec was born in 1943, was ordained in 1967, and was consecrated a bishop in 2005.  Bishop Fournier received a licentiate in theology from Laval University, in Quebec City, and a master's degree in pastoral studies from the University of Sherbrooke.

The Archbishop-elect will serve 142,832 Catholics and 107 priests in the Archdiocese of Rimouski.

The Pontiff also appointed Most Rev. Pierre Morissette as bishop of Saint-Jerome to succeed Bishop Gilles Cazabon O.M.I.  Born in 1944, the bishop was ordained a priest in 1968.  In 1987, he was appointed by Pope John Paul II as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Quebec City before being sent to become the bishop of Baie-Comeau.

Bishop Morissette holds a master’s degree from Laval University and also licentiates in theology and social sciences.

The Diocese of Saint-Jerome has 415,000 Catholics and 145 priests.