CORNWALL, Ontario – On Sunday, Dec. 16, Emeritus Bishop Eugène Philippe LaRocque of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall passed away in Windsor, ON.
Bishop LaRocque, 91, was born in 1927 in Windsor, ON. With strong roots in the community, he retired to the area following 27 years of local devotion; he was the longest-serving Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall.
After he was ordained into priesthood in 1952, Bishop LaRocque pursued graduate studies at Toronto’s St. Michael’s College and Laval University. He obtained a Masters Degree in French and served as registrar for the King’s College of the University of Western On., where he taught French and religion.
In 1974, Bishop LaRocque was ordained a Bishop for the Diocese of Alexandria, serving as the Diocese’s sixth Bishop. In 1976, Cornwall was added to the name of the Diocese under Bishop LaRocque and the Vatican approved the raising rank of La Nativité to Co-Cathedral.
Bishop LaRocque was adamant on encouraging young people to consider priesthood and religious life. He ordained seven priests during his tenure. He also instituted the Diocese’s program for permanent diaconate and ordained 12 mean as permanent deacons for the Diocese. Passionate about education, Bishop LaRocque was a keen supporter of full funding for the province’s Catholic schools, which was achieved in 1984.
Among several other achievements, Bishop LaRocque became the State Champlain of the Knights of Columbus of Ontario in 1977 and served as the president of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario from 1992 to 1994.
During is last 10 years of services, the Diocese became involved in the Cornwall Public Inquiry, with several individuals coming forward alleging sexual abuse by priests of the Diocese. Under Bishop LaRocque, the Diocese began implementing first committee and first protocol to deal with the tragic reality.
According to a statement from the Diocese, Bishop Larocque once stated, “To be aware that one has been chosen to serve the Lord by being at the service of his brothers and sisters, especially those most in need, gives great purpose and fulfillment to my life as a priest and bishop.”
Some of Bishop LaRocque’s favourite past times included gardening, especially roses, as well as cooking and hosting for his priests and parishioners. Every year he would open his home for his annual New Year’s levy.
The Diocese has announced that visitation will be offered between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21 at Nativity Co-Cathedral. Visitation will also be offered at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22 preceding the Funeral at 11 a.m.
