New Archbishop for Monton

(CCCB – Ottawa)… His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend André Richard, C.S.C., as Archbishop of Moncton, and named as his successor the Most Reverend Valéry Vienneau. At the time of his appointment, Archbishop-elect Vienneau was Bishop of Bathurst. Archbishop Richard has been responsible for the Archdiocese of Moncton for the past 10 years, and had offered his resignation when reaching the age of 75, as required by the Code of Canon Law.

Born on October 13, 1947, in Cap Pelé, New Brunswick, Archbishop-elect Valéry Vienneau was ordained to the priesthood on August 29, 1982, for the Archdiocese of Moncton. He had served in a number of parishes throughout the Archdiocese before being named Vicar General in 1997. On July 1, 2002, he was appointed Bishop of Bathurst.

Archbishop-elect Vienneau attended the University of Moncton where he received a bachelor of arts in philosophy and also a bachelor’s degree in education. He taught in the public school system for nine years before pursuing theological studies at the Dominican College in Ottawa where he received a master’s in theology in 1987. He has taught courses in religious studies at the University of Moncton, and was responsible for the formation of lay pastoral associates for the Archdiocese of Moncton. Archbishop-elect Vienneau is currently a member of the French Sector Episcopal Commission for Liturgy and the Sacraments of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).

Archbishop Richard is a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. After being ordained a priest in 1963, he did further theological studies in Rome. He has also studied at the Centre dominicain in Paris, specializing in formation for religious; the Institut de pastorale catéchétique in Strasbourg, and the Institut de pastorale in Montreal. From 1976 to 1985 he was the provincial superior for his religious community in New Brunswick, as well as serving in a number of parishes in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. On May 21, 1989, he was appointed Bishop of Bathurst, and on March 16, 2002, Archbishop of Moncton. Archbishop Richard has served on the CCCB Permanent Council as well as on a number of CCCB Commissions, including as Chairman of the former Commission for Relations with Clergy, Consecrated Life and Laity. During 1998 and 1999 he chaired the CCCB National Committee for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. From 1998 to 2000, he was also President of the Atlantic Episcopal Assembly.

The Archdiocese of Moncton has 56 parishes and missions, with a Catholic population of 110,895, which is served by 41 diocesan priests, 16 priests who are members of religious communities, 249 Religious Sisters and Brothers, one permanent deacon and 84 lay pastoral assistants.