AMERICA/CANADA - The Pope accepts resignation of the Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan and appoints successor

Thursday, 30 November 2006

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 30 November 2006, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan (Canada), presented by Archbishop. Arthé Guimond, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1. The Holy Father appointed Rev. P. Gerard Pettipas, C.Ss.R., until now parish priest at St. Joseph in Grand Praire, Alberta, Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan (Canada).
The Archbishop elect Gerard Pettipas, C.SS.R., was born on 6 September 1950 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He obtained a BA at Holy Redeemer Redemptorist College, Windsor, Ontario, in 1971. He studied theology at Redemptorist Formation House, Cote-des-Neiges, Montreal, Quebec, 1971- 1972. He made his first profession on 15 August 1973, in the Congregation of the Redemptorist Fathers. Ordained a priest on 7 May 1977 he has since ministered as follows: 1977-1978: assistant priest at the parish of St. Teresa, St. John's, Newfoundland; 1978-1980: director of pastoral care for vocations and youth, parish priest at St. Teresa parish, St. John's, Newfoundland; 1980-1981: vocations pastoral director and assistant formation director at Gerard House, Toronto, Ontario; 1981-1987: novice master at Holy Redeemer College, Windsor, Ontario, parish mission team Provincial Residence, Toronto, Ontario; 1990-1992: rector and director at Holy Redeemer College Retreat Centre, Windsor, Ontario; 1992-1995: youth pastoral team, Provincial Residence, Toronto, Ontario; 1995-1999: parish priest and rector, St Patrick's, Toronto, Ontario. Since 1999 parish priest at St. Joseph's, Grande Prairie, Alberta.
The archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan was created in 1967. It has an area of 224.596 sq km, a population of 120.530 including 47.028 Catholics gathered in 68 parishes assisted by 14 priests (6 diocesan and 8 religious), 2 permanent deacons and 23 women religious. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2006; Righe 22; Parole 292)


Share: