It is with a great sense of joy and gratitude to Almighty God that the priests, religious and lay faithful received today the news that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Monsignor Michael Mulhall, at present a priest of the Diocese of Peterborough and Vicar General of that diocese, as the new Bishop of Pembroke.

Bishop Mulhall was born in Peterborough, Ontario, on February 25, 1962. He obtained his B.A. from Trent University in 1985. He pursued Theological Studies at the Angelicum (S.T.B.-1988) and the Augustinianum (S.T.L.-1991) in Rome, while following the formation program at the North American College in that city.

Bishop-elect Mulhall was ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Peterborough on July 21, 1989. From 1991 to 1994, he was engaged in pastoral ministry in Huntsville, Ontario.

He served as an official of the Holy See, Congregation for Oriental Churches, from 1994 to 2002. Returning to his native diocese in 2002, he served again in Huntsville for a brief period and then in Hastings, until the present time.

In 2003, he was appointed Chancellor for Spiritual Affairs and in 2004, Vicar General of the Diocese of Peterborough.

The date for Ordination and Installation of Bishop-elect Mulhall will be announced at a later date.

We look forward to his Ordination and Installation with joyful anticipation and assure Bishop-elect Mulhall of our prayers and sincere best wishes for ministry as Shepherd of the Church of Pembroke.