Meet Gatineau

It is an ancient custom that the Bishops of the Church sign their names like royalty.  Let me explain:  If one were to ask the Queen of England to sign her name, she would simply write Elizabeth II R.  Similarly, if we were to ask any of her family to sign a document, they might write Charles, Ann, William or Harry and so on.  Bishops too (in ancient times) used to sign documents with their Christian name only, followed by the name of their Archdiocese or Diocese.  As such, one might say that as of last evening, we can call him Paul-André, Gatineau.

Shortly after his appointment to this new post was published in early October of this year, Father Thomas Rosica, CEO of Salt + Light Television conducted an interview (in French) with Archbishop Durocher.  The interview has aired on S+L but has also been posted on Youtube for all to see.



In the interview, various topics are discussed, including

• a brief resumé of who the person of Paul-André Durocher is, and how his vocation was discovered and nourished to the point of priestly ordination;
• his work with the Provincial Office for Catholic Education in Ontario (OPECO)
• his take on some of the blessings that have resulted from the experience of World Youth Day (2002) and the Eucharistic Congress (2008) held in Canada
• his understanding (albeit from an outsider's point of view) of the perceptions and challenges of the Church in the Province of Quebec.

Last evening, in presence of His Excellency, Pedro Lopez Quintana, Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, various other bishops and priests and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Gatineau, the newly-appointed Archbishop took up residence and officially began his pastoral ministry in this new particular church. While the video coverage of the inauguration is still to be posted, a copy of his homily from last night's celebration has been posted on the website of the Archdiocese of Gatineau for all to see.

In his characteristic simplicity, he takes this first public catechetical moment to explain the rich history behind the simple gestures that characterise the ceremony of installation, and to challenge all those present, and all those who will read the text in days and weeks to come, to dare to allow Jesus Christ, who enflamed the apostles with the joy of faith to inhabit our hearts as well.