Monday May 14 2007                   for immediate release

PRESS RELEASE

Most Rev. Terrence Prendergast, S.J.
named Archbishop of Ottawa.

Pope Benedict XVI today named Most Rev. Terrence Prendergast, S.J. as Archbishop of Ottawa. At the time of his appointment, he was Archbishop of Halifax and Apostolic Administrator of Yarmouth.

Before making the appointment, the Holy Father accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Marcel Gervais as Archbishop of Ottawa in accordance with the Code of Canon Law which sets the age of retirement for bishops at 75. Archbishop Gervais has served the Archdiocese of Ottawa almost one year beyond his 75th birthday. He has served as Archbishop of Ottawa since 1989. The Holy Father has named Archbishop Gervais as Apostolic Administrator of the archdiocese until such time as the new bishop is installed and takes over responsibility for the diocese.

A native of Montreal, Archbishop Terrence Prendergast entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1961 and was ordained a priest in 1972. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University, Master of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees from Toronto School of Theology and a Licentiate in Theology from Regis College.

Archbishop Prendergast taught in Halifax at Atlantic School of Theology from 1975-1981, then was Rector of Toronto's Regis College from 1981-87 and Dean of Theology from 1991-1994. In 1988-89, he lectured as Daniel Hannin Professor at Campion College, University of Regina. From 1992-1994, he served as Executive Secretary of the Vatican's Apostolic Visitation of Canadian seminaries (English sector). When nominated bishop in 1995, he was Catholic Biblical Association of America Visiting Professor at the Ecole Biblique, Jerusalem. Named Titular Bishop of Slebte and Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto on February 22, 1995, Archbishop Prendergast received episcopal ordination in St. Michael's Cathedral, Toronto, on April 25, 1995.

Appointed eleventh Archbishop of Halifax on June 30th, 1998, he was installed in St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica on September 14th that year. In January 2002, he became Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Yarmouth and in May 2003, was named Pontifical Commissioner for the Sons of Mary. He is the Canadian member of Vox Clara, an advisory commission to the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments on the English translation of the Roman Missal. In the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, he has served on its Permanent Council, been a member of the Commission for Relations with Associations of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Laity, co-chair of the national Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue, a director of the Catholic Office for Life and the Family, and is now serving a second time on the Theology Commission.

Upon hearing of his new appointment, Archbishop Prendergast sent the following remarks: Pope Benedict's nomination of me as Archbishop of Ottawa is exciting and frightening at the same time. I am buoyed by the Holy Father's confidence in entrusting me with the task; and I place my trust in the Lord's grace and our Lady's intercession to calm my fears and to help me say goodbye to the priests, religious and faithful of Halifax and Yarmouth who have been so good to me for nine years. Except for two summers ('68 and '70) studying classics at Ottawa U., I haven't spent extended times in Ottawa and the places I can find easily are few. One of them is the Jesuit community where my brothers have always made me feel welcome. I have great admiration for the episcopal leadership of Archbishop Gervais and pray I may be able to fill his big shoes. And I look forward to meeting the many wonderful people of the Church of Ottawa I have heard about, whether they speak French, English or another language. My request is that you please pray for me; I have already begun to pray for you.

Archbishop Prendergast will hold a news conference on Tuesday May 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Diocesan Centre, 1247 Kilborn Place. All media representatives are invited. Information concerning the installation of the new archbishop will be made available as soon as possible.

Source:
Gilles Ouellette,
Director of Communications 613-738-5025, ext. 238