MONTREAL – As Montreal’s populist archbishop calls it a career, his cerebral successor enters at a time of dwindling numbers at the pews and a shortage of priests.
Archbishop Christian Lepine was named to the post this week by Pope Benedict XVI and says he’s ready to be open and listen, and to be proactive and spread the gospel to families and youth where they live.
Lepine takes over from Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte, who held the post for 22 years at Canada’s second-largest Catholic diocese before announcing his intention to retire.
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Turcotte is known for his affable disposition and media savvy, such as using hockey examples to illustrate points about religion. He is also known for having taken a public stand against abortion, famously returning his Order of Canada after pro-choice activist Henry Morgentaler was named to the order in 2008.
For his part, Turcotte says he’s happy to get out of the limelight and will be focusing on his health.
Turcotte says he will continue to work for the church, which is facing a shortage of priests in Montreal, but is glad to let Lepine, a Montrealer, take over the job.
Turcotte quips that he’s a bit of a joker, while his successor is a more serious individual. The elder cardinal says the difference in character is a good thing.
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