Bishop Named for Diocese of Bathurst

Tuesday, July 02 2002

(CCCB -Ottawa) – His Holiness Pope John Paul II today named Rev. Valéry Vienneau, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Moncton, as Bishop of Bathurst. The Diocese of Bathurst has been vacant since the appointment of Most Rev. André Richard as Archbishop of Moncton on March 16, 2002.

Born on October 13, 1947, in Cap Pelé, New Brunswick, he was ordained to the priesthood on August 29, 1982, for the Archdiocese of Moncton. Bishop-elect Vienneau served in several parishes throughout the Archdiocese, and was named Vicar General in 1997.

Bishop-elect Vienneau attended the University of Moncton where he received a bachelor of arts in philosophy and a baccalaureate in education. He taught in the public school system for nine years before pursuing theological studies at the Dominican College in Ottawa where he received a masters in theology in 1987.

The new bishop also taught some religious studies courses at the University of Moncton and was responsible for the formation of lay pastoral associates for the Archdiocese of Moncton.

The Diocese of Bathurst has a Catholic population of 115,560 served by 59 diocesan priests, 9 religious order priests, 1 permanent deacon and 241 religious sisters and brothers in 63 parishes and missions.