Most Reverend Émilius Goulet, P.S.S.

(CCCB - Ottawa) – Pope Benedict XVI today named Most Reverend Albert LeGatt as Archbishop of Saint Boniface. At the time of his appointment, he was Bishop of Saskatoon. 

The Holy Father also accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Émilius Goulet, P.S.S., in accordance with the Code of Canon Law which sets the mandatory age of retirement for bishops at 75. Archbishop Goulet, who turned 76 last May, has served the diocese of Saint Boniface for a little more than a year past his 75th birthday. He had been appointed Archbishop of Saint Boniface in September 2001.

Most Reverend Albert LeGatt

Born on May 6 1953, in Melfort, Saskatchewan, Bishop LeGatt was ordained a priest on 19 June 1983 for the Diocese of Prince Albert.  Before his appointment as Bishop of Saskatoon, in July 2001, he had served in several parishes and had held the office of Diocesan Consultor, Director of Vocations and Coordinator of the Diocesan Commission for Liturgy.

Bishop LeGatt studied at the College of Saint Boniface where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy.   He has worked with Canadian University Students Overseas (CUSO) where he taught young people in Ghana for three years, before returning to Canada for his theological studies with the Grand Séminaire at Laval University, Quebec City.

As a member of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), Archbishop-elect LeGatt has served on the Canadian Catholic Aboriginal Council (formerly the Council for Reconciliation, Solidarity and Communion with Aboriginal Peoples). He is currently the Chairman of the English Sector Commission for Liturgy and Sacraments.

The Diocese of Saint Boniface has a Catholic population of 113,495 in 103 parishes and missions, served by 75 diocesan priests, 36 religious order priests, 24 permanent deacons and 307 religious Sisters and Brothers.