On July 3, 2020, Most Rev. Guy Desrochers, of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), became the ninth Bishop of Pembroke.

Bishop Desrochers was appointed on May 6, 2020, following the vacancy left by the appointment of Most Rev. Michael Mulhall as Archbishop of Kingston.

The installation took place after the new Bishop made his Profession of Faith and took the Oath of Fidelity. The Installation Mass took place in St. Columbkille Cathedral, Pembroke. Once the letter of appointment from Pope Francis was read to the assembly and shown to the College of Consultors, Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J., of Ottawa-Cornwall led Bishop Desrochers to the cathedra, or bishop’s chair. Bishop Desrochers then presided over the rest of the Mass.

Also present were Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi, Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, and Archbishop Michael Mulhall of Kingston.

On account of the COVID-19 pandemic, only the priests, the deacons, and the deacons’ wives could be present. They took their places throughout the Cathedral in order to respect physical distancing.

Click an image to view. First image: Left to right: Archbishop Michael Mulhall, Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Deacon Adrien Chaput, Bishop Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., Deacon Michael Coyne, Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi after the celebration. Second image: Bishop Desrochers holds the letter of appointment from Pope Francis. With him is Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J. Third image: Bishop Desrochers holds the letter of appointment from Pope Francis. With him is Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi (left), Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, and Fr. Michael Smith, Chancellor (centre). Fourth image: Priests, deacons, and deacons’ wives at prayer during the liturgy. The organist is Leo Rochon and the cantor Bentley Horne. Fifth image: Bishop Desrochers preaches the homily at the Installation Mass. Sixth image: Bishop Desrochers greets people after the celebration.

Photo credits: Armando Prini, St. Francis Studio