New Bishop for Timmins, Canada

(Vatican Radio) Pope Benedict XVI has named Monsignor Serge Poitras as new bishop of the diocese of Timmins in Canada. Until now, Msgr Poitras has served as Undersecretary joined to the Congregation for Bishops.

Born in Jonquière, Quebec, in 1949, Msgr Poitras was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Chicoutimi, Quebec, in 1973. In the first years of his priestly ministry, he served as Parochial Vicar in the Cathedral of Chicoutimi. He has also served as professor at the Diocese’ minor seminary, and as head of the Diocesan Centre for Students.

From 1990-1998 Msgr Poitras was a professor and a member of the formation team at the Major Seminary in Montreal. During his years of ministry in Montreal, he was Sunday Parochial Vicar in different parishes throughout the city.

In 2000 he became a Collaborator at the Apostolic Nunciature in Ottawa. He took up his current post at the Congregation for Bishops in 2010.