New Episcopal Vicars

Following the appointment of His Excellency, Noël Simard to the See of Valleyfield (Quebec), Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe wrote to all the priests of the diocese of Sault Ste. Marie (on February 10 of this year) concerning the appointment of Episcopal Vicars for the diocese.

A total of sixty-seven consultation ballots were distributed to priests in the diocese on January 9 and sixty-two responses were received.  Of the five ballots not received, one priest was out of the country during the balloting period, and another was outside of the diocese, leaving three unreturned ballots.  The Bishop personally reviewed the ballots and took into consideration the nominations provided.  Subsequently, he appointed:

• Rev. Hamish Currie, Episcopal Vicar for the English pastoral regions of Sault Ste. Marie and the North Shore-Manitoulin;
• Mgr Jean-Paul Jolicoeur, PH, Episcopal Vicar for the French pastoral regions of NIpissing and Sudbury-Algoma; and
• Rev. Larry Rymes, Episcopal Vicar for the English pastoral regions of Sudbury and North Bay.

The Episcopal Vicars will work in collaboration with the Bishop and their brother priests. They will act as liaisons with the Catholic School Boards, Health Institutions and Hospitals, Nursing and Retirement Homes in their respective regions, preside at the celebration of the Sacrmaent of Confirmation only when the Bishop is impeded to do so, facilitate the implementation of diocesan pastoral programs and practices and occasionally act as the Bishop's representatives for certain functions.

It will take some time to adjust to this new model of leadership, since we have been used to working with Auxiliary Bishops, however the outcome of this new approach will surely benefit each of the priests and also the faithful of the diocese.

The Sudbury Star reported this information in this past Friday's paper.