Cornwall's Bishop Promoted to Gatineau, by Cheryl Brink, Standard Freeholder, October 12, 2011

Cornwall's Bishop Promoted to Gatineau

By Cheryl Brink
Standard Freeholder
October 12, 2011

www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3330661

Bishop Paul-Andre Durocher has spent almost 10 years in the Alexandria-Cornwall dioecese. On Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011, he was named archbishop of Gatineau. CHERYL BRINK/CORNWALL STANDARD-FREEHOLDER/QMI AGENCY

CORNWALL – Paul-Andre Durocher is leaving a more peaceful Catholic community than the one he arrived in nearly a decade ago.

The bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall, who has served the region since 2002, was named the archbishop for Gatineau on Wednesday.

"It's certainly an honour," said Durocher about the promotion. "It's a great sign of trust. I'm looking forward to the new challenge."

But Durocher said he was saddened at the thought of leaving this diocese, where he has built relationships with politicians, community leaders, and churches.

"The staff is like my second family," he added. "To let go of all of that, it's hard."

Durocher reflected on his time in Cornwall with a sense of accomplishment.

"There was a demonstration at my installation," he said, remembering how he was thrown into the thick of sexual abuse allegations and frustration with the court system. "Numerous rumors were feeding anxiety in the population."

He said he had to act quickly to set up committees and groups to address the issue, eventually leading to the Cornwall Inquiry.

"It took up an enormous amount of time and energy," he said, but added he was pleased with how things were cleared up.

"It allows us now to move forward," he said. "We've grown tremendously through this experience that's been so painful for so many people."

Durocher also talked about the challenges of dealing with the Army of Mary movement and rearranging parishes. The restructuring isn't finished, but he said "good steps have been taken" that his replacement can work with.

Durocher said he will stay in Cornwall as administrator until early December, when he will officially be installed as archbishop across the provincial border. At that point, the local priests will elect someone to oversee the diocese until a new bishop is selected, which could take anywhere from five months to over a year.

Durocher admitted there have been conversations about folding Alexandria-Cornwall into a larger diocese, such as Ottawa, but no decision has been made yet.

"If that was the plan it would have been done right away," he said.

He explained that a consultation process between the local diocese and the nuncio – the Pope's ambassador to Canada – will take place before any further action is taken on either amalgamation or the appointment of a new bishop.

Durocher's move to Gatineau will fill the void left by Archbishop Roger Ebacher, who faced mandatory retirement when he turned 75 last week.

The Quebec diocese includes 54 parishes and missions, with a Catholic population of 250,594 people.

"It's a very different reality from the reality of Eastern Ontario," said Durocher.

He said the region includes more urban centres, with many public service sectors. Most of the congregation is French, with a small pocket of English churches.

"It will take a while to get to know people," he said.

At age 57, Durocher said he expects this post to be his last.

"It takes 10 years to really know a diocese," he said. "I expect to spend the rest of my life in Gatineau."

But then, the appointment of bishop is often for a longer term, and Durocher admitted to being a little surprised when he was offered the new position after less than 10 years in Cornwall.

"I hope that what I've been able to offer here will bear fruit," he said. "I've certainly received so much from the community. It's been a great journey."