Four Canadian Metropolitan Archbishops to receive the pallium

Thursday, June 28, 2012

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will give the pallium to newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishops, at the beginning of the Mass celebrating the Solemnity of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, 2012. The ceremony, which starts at 9:00 am, will be in Saint Peter’s Square, in front of the Vatican Basilica. Among those appointed during this past year are four Canadian Archbishops: the Most Reverend Luc Cyr of Sherbrooke, the Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher of Gatineau, the Most Reverend Christian Lépine of Montreal, and the Most Reverend Valéry Vienneau of Moncton. Except for Archbishop-elect Vienneau, the three other Canadians are in Rome to receive the pallium from the Holy Father. The Archbishop-elect of Moncton, who was appointed on June 15, 2012, will be installed as Archbishop of Moncton on August 29, 2012, and will receive his pallium in his Archdiocese.

Canadian Catholic television channel Salt + Light TV, will broadcast the celebration presided by the Holy Father on June 29: in English and French at 11:00 am and at 8:00 pm; in French at 4:00 pm. Times indicated are Eastern Time.

The pallium is a narrow woolen band that hangs around the neck and shoulders, and is decorated with six black crosses. Originally it was reserved for the liturgical use of the Pope, but over the centuries was given to certain Bishops as a sign of their relationship with the Apostolic See. Since the 9^th century it is given only to Metropolitan Archbishops as a sign of the authority they share with the Holy Father. The wool for the pallium comes from two lambs offered every year to the Pope on January 21, the Feast of Saint Agnes.