Pope appoints Cyprien Lacroix Archbishop of Quebec

Pope Benedict XVI has named Auxiliary Bishop Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, as of the Archbishop of Quebec, Canada.

Born on July 27, 1957 in St-Hilaire-de-Dorset (Beauce) Québec. At the age of 8, he immigrated with his family to Manchester, New Hampshire (United States) where he completed his primary school studies at the Parochial School St-Anthony and secondary studies at Trinity High School. He studied during one year at Saint Anselm College in Manchester.

In 1975, he joins the Pius X Secular Institute as a consecrated lay member. His first commitment is made in 1976 and pronounces his perpetual vows in 1982 in Québec. In 1982, he is also named secretary general of his Institute. In September of that same year, he starts his theological studies at Laval University where he obtains a master’s degree in pastoral theology. From 1985 to 1987, he is director of the Maison du Renouveau, a formation and Christian renewal centre. He is ordained to the priesthood on October 8, 1988 in Notre-Dame de Recouvrance parish, in Vanier, Québec.

In September 1990, he is named to lead a missionary team to establish a new region of the Pius X Secular Institute in the Archdiocese of Popayán in Colombia. From 1990 to 1993, he is pastor of Nuestra Señora del Carmen parish in Argelia, Cauca (Colombia). From 1993 to 1998, in addition to his activities as regional director of the Pius X Secular Institute, he is active at different levels in the Archdiocese of Popayán: member of the council of priests, member of the diocesan pastoral council, member of the social communications commission, head of the liturgical commission, professor at the Mayor Seminary of Popayán, president of the Cauca section of the Colombian Conference of Religious.

He succeeds Cardinal Marc Ouellet, current Prefect of the Congregation of bishops.