A new bishop has been named for the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall.
In a release to the media issued Thursday morning, the Vatican has announced Rev. Marcel Damphousse will take over the leadership reins locally, following the departure of Bishop Paul-Andre Durocher.
Damphousse will have to make the move from Saint-Boniface, a ward of the city of Winnipeg, where he served as rector of the Saint-Boniface Cathedral.
He was born in Manitoba and was ordained as a priest in 1991. Damphousse served in a number of parishes through the Saint-Boniface archdiocese before being named rector in 2008.
The bishop-elect earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1984 at the University College of Saint-Boniface, followed by a bachelor’s degree in theology in 1989 from Saint Paul University, Ottawa. He received his formation for the priesthood at Saint Paul’s Seminary, Ottawa. In 2002 he earned a licentiate in spiritual theology from the Teresianum in Rome.
For a number of years Damphousse taught at the Manitobe Catholic School of Evangelization, and was vocations director for more than 12 years. Before being appointed rector of the cathedral, he was chaplain at St. Bonfiace Diocesan High school for five years.
The Alexandria-Cornwall Diocese indicated Damphousse will be in the city July 9. A media event is expected to be convened.
