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Monday May 14 2007
for immediate release
PRESS RELEASE
Most Rev. Terrence Prendergast, S.J.
named
Archbishop of Ottawa.
Pope Benedict XVI today named Most Rev. Terrence Prendergast,
S.J. as Archbishop of Ottawa. At the time of his appointment, he was Archbishop
of Halifax and Apostolic Administrator of Yarmouth.
Before making the appointment, the Holy Father accepted the
resignation of Most Reverend Marcel Gervais as Archbishop of Ottawa in
accordance with the Code of Canon Law which sets the age of retirement for
bishops at 75. Archbishop Gervais has served the Archdiocese of Ottawa almost
one year beyond his 75th birthday. He has served as Archbishop of Ottawa since
1989. The Holy Father has named Archbishop Gervais as Apostolic Administrator
of the archdiocese until such time as the new bishop is installed and takes
over responsibility for the diocese.
A native of Montreal, Archbishop Terrence Prendergast entered
the Jesuit novitiate in 1961 and was ordained a priest in 1972. He holds a
Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University, Master of Divinity and Doctor
of Theology degrees from Toronto School of Theology and a Licentiate in
Theology from Regis College.
Archbishop Prendergast taught in Halifax at Atlantic School of
Theology from 1975-1981, then was Rector of Toronto's Regis College from
1981-87 and Dean of Theology from 1991-1994. In 1988-89, he lectured as Daniel
Hannin Professor at Campion College, University of Regina. From 1992-1994, he
served as Executive Secretary of the Vatican's Apostolic Visitation of Canadian
seminaries (English sector). When nominated bishop in 1995, he was Catholic
Biblical Association of America Visiting Professor at the Ecole Biblique,
Jerusalem. Named Titular Bishop of Slebte and Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto on
February 22, 1995, Archbishop Prendergast received episcopal ordination in St.
Michael's Cathedral, Toronto, on April 25, 1995.
Appointed eleventh Archbishop of Halifax on June 30th, 1998, he
was installed in St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica on September 14th that year. In
January 2002, he became Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Yarmouth and
in May 2003, was named Pontifical Commissioner for the Sons of Mary. He is
the Canadian member of Vox Clara, an advisory commission to the Congregation
for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments on the English translation
of the Roman Missal. In the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, he
has served on its Permanent Council, been a member of the Commission for
Relations with Associations of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Laity, co-chair of
the national Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue, a director of the Catholic
Office for Life and the Family, and is now serving a second time on the
Theology Commission.
Upon hearing of his new appointment, Archbishop Prendergast sent
the following remarks: ‘Pope Benedict's nomination of me as Archbishop of
Ottawa is exciting and frightening at the same time. I am buoyed by the Holy
Father's confidence in entrusting me with the task; and I place my trust in the
Lord's grace and our Lady's intercession to calm my fears and to help me say
goodbye to the priests, religious and faithful of Halifax and Yarmouth who have
been so good to me for nine years. Except for two summers ('68 and '70)
studying classics at Ottawa U., I haven't spent extended times in Ottawa and
the places I can find easily are few. One of them is the Jesuit community where
my brothers have always made me feel welcome. I have great admiration for the
episcopal leadership of Archbishop Gervais and pray I may be able to fill his
big shoes. And I look forward to meeting the many wonderful people of the
Church of Ottawa I have heard about, whether they speak French, English or
another language. My request is that you please pray for me; I have already
begun to pray for you.’
Archbishop Prendergast will hold a news conference on Tuesday
May 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Diocesan Centre, 1247 Kilborn Place. All media
representatives are invited. Information concerning the installation of the new
archbishop will be made available as soon as possible.
Source:
Gilles Ouellette,
Director of Communications
613-738-5025, ext. 238 |