Canada February 14, 2023
Montreal Auxiliary Bishop Frank Leo to replace Toronto Cardinal Collins, retiring at 76
By Hannah Brockhaus
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Thomas Cardinal Collins of Toronto for reasons of age and appointed Montreal Auxiliary Bishop Francis (Frank) Bishop Leo to succeed him as shepherd of Canada’s largest diocese.
Cardinal Thomas Cardinal Collins has led the Archdiocese of Toronto since 2007. He turned 75 last year, the age when bishops must submit their resignations. Pope Francis accepted the 76-year-old Cardinal Collins’ resignation on Feb. 11 for reasons of age.
Bishop Leo, 51, has been an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Montreal since September 2022. He also served in various diplomatic posts for the Vatican from 2008-2012. The date of his installation at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica had not been announced.
“I thank Pope Francis for the confidence he has placed in me,” Bishop Leo said. “This was a most unexpected appointment, yet I have learned throughout my priesthood and service to the Church that God’s special plans for us unfold in unexpected moments that lead to tremendous blessings,”
Cardinal Collins said he offers his prayers, best wishes, and support to Bishop Leo in his new role.
“His knowledge of the Church, both in Canada and around the world, as well as his unfailing service over many years, demonstrates his commitment to serve joyfully and faithfully,” he said.
Bishop Leo is the son of two Italian immigrants. He was born in Montreal in 1971, entered the city’s seminary in 1990, and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Montreal on Dec. 14, 1996.
Bishop Leo served in parish assignments for 10 years until accepting an invitation to enroll in the Vatican’s Rome academy for diplomatic training in 2006. For two years he studied canon law and philosophy.
He then served in the apostolic nunciature in Australia and in the Study Mission of the Holy See in Hong Kong before returning to Montreal in 2012.
In Canada, the priest was on the formation team of the Grand Séminaire de Montreal.
He was general secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2015-2021.
From Feb. 1, 2022, Bishop Leo served as vicar general and moderator of the curia of the Archdiocese of Montreal, before being named an auxiliary bishop of the diocese five months later. He was consecrated a bishop on Sept. 12, 2022.
The archbishop-designate speaks English, French, Italian, and Spanish.
Among other degrees, Bishop Leo has a doctorate in systematic theology with a specialization in Mariology from the University of Dayton/International Marian Research Institute.
“The Gospel of Jesus Christ is our most treasured gift,” Bishop Leo wrote in a letter to Toronto Catholics. “The Kingdom we seek is one of justice and peace; the path is that of holiness and fidelity.”
Three months shy of 15 years of service to the Archdiocese of Toronto, Cardinal Collins is full of warmth and affection for Toronto as he moves on to retirement. Before celebrating Mass and preaching a feast day homily at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Cardinal Collins spoke to The Catholic Register of his love for the multicultural reality of Toronto with “so many people from all over the world.” He said they are what makes it a great city.
“It’s just been a joy to be Archbishop here,” he said. “Ever since I came here, the people have been so kind, so generous. So many good people have stepped forward to help. Some people say it must be a heavy burden. I’ve never found it so. I love everything about (Toronto).”
Bishop Leo introduced himself to Torontonians as “the son of immigrant parents.”
“I truly believe that I stand to learn much from you: the very people I will strive to love and to serve, to empower and to inspire, to guide and to lead,” Bishop Leo said in his Feb. 11 letter of introduction.
On a feast day dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop Leo also spoke of his calling to lead the Archdiocese of Toronto in the context of the Annunciation.
“I thought of the Blessed Mother, her amazement and questioning, her trust and her availability to join forces with the Holy Spirit in bringing about the Incarnation; in accepting to play her unique role in the Lord’s loving and saving plan; to be a humble instrument in the hands of our loving and saving God. Upon learning of the Holy Father’s decision to appoint me, I too was asked to utter my own personal and ecclesial Fiat – and I have done so with all my heart,” he said.
Rather than a bishop only to convinced and engaged Catholics, Bishop Leo also introduced himself “to those who are more distant or struggle to choose her as their spiritual home.”
Cardinal Collins will remain a Cardinal and will also be Archbishop Emeritus of Toronto. He may continue to serve as a cardinal until he turns 80 in four years.
Bishop Leo will now lead an archdiocese of about two million Catholics with almost 400 priests serving 225 parishes where more than 30 languages are spoken.
With files from The Catholic Register