Bishop-elect Michael Mulhall was ordained as the eighth Bishop of Pembroke on Friday, September 21, 2007, at the Cathedral of Saint Columbkille. The native of Peterborough, Ontario, was named by Pope Benedict XVI to succeed Archbishop Richard Smith who transferred to the Archdiocese of Edmonton in May.

Archbishop Luigi Ventura, the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada and personal representative of the Pope, presided over the rite of ordination. Accompanying him as co-consecrators were Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J., the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ottawa and Bishop Nicola De Angelis, C.F.I.C., the Bishop of Peterborough. Bishops and priests from across Canada and the United States were also in attendance.

Bishop-elect Mulhall’s ordination had a strong historical connection for the Pembroke diocese. It coincided with the 125^th anniversary of the ordination of Bishop Narcisse Zepherin Lorrain, the first Bishop of Pembroke on September 21, 1882. “The fact that one hundred and twenty-five years to the day we are celebrating the ordination of our eighth bishop is very significant,” said Father Patrick Tait, Administrator of the Diocese, “the link that this celebration has to our founding Bishop is truly providential.” This historical link was marked during the ordination mass when Bishop-elect Mulhall received the same crozier that Bishop Lorrain used on the day of his ordination. The crozier is a pastoral staff that is a sign of a bishop’s role as chief shepherd to the people of his diocese. Bishop-elect Mulhall also honoured Bishop Lorrain by using his chalice to celebrate the Eucharist.

The ordination mass was held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 21 at the Cathedral of Saint Columbkille in Pembroke. Members of the public were welcome to attend and a reception was held following the mass to greet the new Bishop.

Most Reverend Michael Mulhall

Most Reverend Michael Mulhall was born in Peterborough, Ontario, on February 25, 1962, one of five children of Vernon and Maureen Mulhall. He received his elementary and secondary education in Peterborough and then studied at Trent University where he obtained his B.A. in 1985. He pursued theological studies in Rome at the Angelicum (S.T.B. – 1988) and at the Augustinianum (S.T.L. – 1991) while following the formation program at the North American College.

Bishop Mulhall was ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Peterborough on July 21, 1989. From 1991 to 1994, he served in Huntsville. From 1994 to 2002, he served as an official of the Holy See in the Congregation for Oriental Churches. Returning to his native diocese in 2002, he served again briefly in Huntsville and then in Hastings.

In 2003, he was given added responsibilities as Chancellor for Spiritual Affairs and in 2004, as Vicar General of the Diocese of Peterborough. He occupied these positions until June 30, 2007, when he was appointed Bishop of Pembroke, Ontario, by Pope Benedict XVI. He will be ordained to the episcopacy in St. Columbkille’s Cathedral, Pembroke, Ontario on September 21, 2007.