Bishop-elect Stephen Hero comes to Prince Albert from Edmonton where he was Rector of St. Joseph Seminary. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Passing the flag

New bishop appointed for Roman Catholic Diocese of P.A.

Mar 25, 2021 | 12:42 PM

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert has a new leader.

Current bishop, Albert Thévenot will be succeeded by Father Stephen Hero, the diocese announced Thursday.

In a media release, the diocese said Thévenot submitted his resignation to the Vatican upon turning 75, as stipulated by Canon Law.

Hero comes to the area from Edmonton where he is the rector of St. Joseph Seminary. He’s also served in various parishes and studied theology and liturgy in Rome. After finishing up teaching at the end of the academic year, Hero will be ordained as bishop on June 11, the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

“It’s wonderful to come into a place where things are thriving, communities are healthy and growing, and build on what others have been doing before me,” Hero told paNOW, Thursday. “I hope to continue some good ministry here and I’m very grateful to be here.”

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

2h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

8h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

23h ago

Bishop Albert Thévenot (left) welcomes his successor Stephen Hero (right) at a press conference at Sacred Heart Cathedral, in P.A. Thursday. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Thévenot explained he’s worked with seminarians who studied under Hero and found them to be very well trained.

“He [Hero] is a person who listens a lot,” Thévenot said. “He really has a vision of what he’s expecting of his students, just as he will have a vision of what he’s expecting of the diocese.”

Until Hero is ordained as bishop in June, Thévenot will stay on as diocese administrator.

“It sort of feels funny,” Thévenot said. “I was telling myself ‘oh you’re not the bishop of the diocese anymore. You’re the administrator and you’ll be an emeritus pretty soon.’ It’s sort of an experience of pulling back and letting someone take your place and that’s quite an experience.”

He thanked the people of the Diocese of Prince Albert for walking with him and letting him be their shepherd in the 13 years he served as bishop.

“I hope that I have been an inspiration for many and I do have my regrets for those that things happened that I didn’t do right,” Thévenot said. “But I’m ready to go on and I’m ready to pass the flag to reverend Stephen Hero.”

Thévenot plans to spend his retirement in Prince Albert.

–

alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom