OTTAWA (CCN)—Canada’s newest diocese – the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall – became official today as the long-anticipated merger of the Ottawa and Alexandria-Cornwall dioceses was approved by the Vatican.
Archbishop Terrence Prendergast maintains his leadership of the Church in Ottawa and is now the first archbishop of the new Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. But in making the announcement on May 6, Pope Francis has already named his eventual successor.
Pope Francis also appointed former Bishop of Sault St. Marie Marcel Damphousse as the Coadjutor Bishop of Ottawa-Cornwall on May 6. Bishop Damphousse was bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall from 2012 to 2015.
Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall communications director Robert Du Broy said although no official date has been set, Archbishop Prendergast is expected to retire this year, with Bishop Damphousse succeeding him.
Pope Francis also appointed former Auxiliary Bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall and Auxiliary Bishop of Ottawa Guy Desrochers as the new bishop of the neighbouring diocese of Pembroke, Ont., succeeding Bishop Michael Mulhall who was appointed Archbishop of Kingston last year.
According to a press release from Du Broy about the merger, “the amalgamation will ensure more efficient management of the Church’s resources while respecting the bilingual nature of the region.”
While the merger of Ottawa and Cornwall into the new Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall is official and recognized within the Catholic Church, the formal civil merger still needs approval by the federal government.
“The nature of the diocesan corporation – a corporation sole – requires an Act of Parliament for incorporation. Our legal counsel is moving forward with the civil amalgamation process,” DuBroy said.
With B.C. Catholic files
