Archdiocese of Gatineau

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The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gatineau, a metropolitan archdiocese of the Latin Rite, is an active particular church in the Canadian province of Quebec. Erected in 1963 as the Diocese of Hull by Pope John XXIII, it was renamed the Archdiocese of Gatineau–Hull in 1982 and the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gatineau in 2007, serving the Outaouais region across the Ottawa River from the national capital.[1] Led by Archbishop Marcel Damphousse since 2019, it forms the Ecclesiastical Province of Gatineau and oversees a Catholic population of approximately 220,000 in a diverse, bilingual community, highlighted by its pro-cathedral's role in hosting significant Eucharistic events.[2]

Stored in Cargo: Archdiocese of Gatineau

Diocese: Archdiocese of Gatineau
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Archdiocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Ecclesiastical Province of Gatineau
Suffragan Dioceses:Diocese of Joliette; Diocese of Mont-Laurier; Diocese of Rouyn-Noranda; Diocese of Saint-Jérôme; Diocese of Timmins
Country:Canada
Region:Quebec
Bishop:Marcel Damphousse
Website:https://catholique-outaouais.org/
Newspaper:https://www.diocesisgatineau.org/ (Le Citoyen)
Catholic %:12.0%
Elementary Schools:25
High Schools:5
Deaneries:6
Priests:95
Existence:1963–
Predecessor Dioceses:Archdiocese of Ottawa
Catholic Hospitals:3
Rating:3.2
Chancery Address:1244, ch. du Carrefour

Gatineau, QC J8V 3H7

Canada

Establishment

The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gatineau was canonically erected on 15 February 1963 as the Diocese of Hull by Pope John XXIII, carved from the territory of the then-Archdiocese of Ottawa to address the growing Catholic population in the Outaouais region.[3][4] It was elevated and renamed the Archdiocese of Gatineau–Hull on 31 May 1982 by Pope John Paul II, and further renamed the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gatineau on 29 April 2007, becoming the metropolitan see for its ecclesiastical province.[5]

History

Early Years

The diocese initially focused on consolidating parishes and schools in the bilingual Hull (now Gatineau) area, under its first bishop amid post-World War II immigration and urbanization.[6]

Name Changes and Elevation

Renamed in 1982 to reflect the city's name change from Hull to Gatineau, it was promoted to metropolitan status in 2007, strengthening its role in Quebec's ecclesiastical structure.[7]

Geography

The archdiocese encompasses the western part of Quebec's Outaouais region, including the cities of Gatineau and surrounding municipalities across 14 municipalités régionales de comté (MRCs) and equivalent territories:

  • Argenteuil
  • Collines-de-l'Outaouais
  • Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais
  • La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau
  • Papineau
  • Petite-Nation
  • Pontiac
  • Rouville
  • Vallée-de-la-Gatineau
  • And equivalents for Gatineau city.

It forms the Ecclesiastical Province of Gatineau.[8]

Mother church

The Pro-cathédrale Immaculée-Conception de Gatineau (Pro-Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception) in Gatineau serves as the mother church, a neoclassical structure built in 1850 and elevated to pro-cathedral status upon the archdiocese's metropolitan promotion in 2007.[9]

Leadership

Current Archbishop

Marcel Damphousse has served as archbishop since 11 January 2019. Ordained in 1985, he previously led the Diocese of Sault Sainte-Marie and emphasizes synodality and family ministry.[10]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Joseph-Aurèle Gilles Ouellet 1963–1971 First Bishop of Hull.
Jean-Marie Joseph Hubert 1971–1981 Resigned.
Roger Octave Mathieu 1982–1987 Bishop at rename to Gatineau–Hull.
Charles Valois 1988–1991 Appointed Bishop of Saint-Jérôme.
Bertrand Blanchet 1991–1994 Died in office.
Paul-André Durocher 1994–2018 First Archbishop of Gatineau (2007); retired.
Marcel Damphousse 2019– Current archbishop.

According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[11]

Theological and Cultural Orientation

The archdiocese maintains a balanced orientation (rating: 3.2), with monthly Traditional Latin Masses in select parishes, equal emphasis on pro-life initiatives and social justice programs like refugee support, and leadership under Archbishop Damphousse promoting dialogue per recent synods.[12][13]

Statistics

The archdiocese covers 18,000 square miles (46,600 km²), serves 220,000 registered Catholics (12% of total population of 1.8 million) across 49 parishes and 6 deaneries.[14][15]

Religious Communities

Oblates of Mary Immaculate

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) support parish ministry and missions in the Outaouais, with historical roots in the region's evangelization. Address: Various parishes.[16] Oblates

Sisters of Charity

The Sisters of Charity operate schools and healthcare, including at local hospitals. Address: Gatineau.[17]

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gatineau
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gatineau

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No results The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gatineau comprises 49 parishes organized into 6 deaneries, serving French- and English-speaking communities with bilingual liturgies and cultural diversity reflective of the Ottawa-Gatineau region's demographics.[18]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The archdiocese supports 25 elementary and 5 high schools:

School Name City Type Website
École secondaire de l'Érablière Gatineau High School
École secondaire Saint-Joseph de Hull Gatineau High School
(Full list at List of Catholic schools in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gatineau)

[19]

Community Outreach

Catholic Charities and Caritas Outaouais provide food security, housing, and immigrant services to over 10,000 people annually.[20]

Notable Events or Figures

  • In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI approved the elevation to metropolitan archdiocese, marking a new era of provincial leadership.[21]
  • Archbishop Paul-André Durocher chaired the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops' evangelization commission.

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gatineau:


  • Did you know? Born from the Archdiocese of Ottawa in 1963, the Diocese of Hull (now Gatineau) was created to serve the booming paper mill town across the river, with its first bishop building 20 new churches in just eight years!
  • Surprise! The Pro-Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Gatineau, built in 1850, survived floods and fires to become a pro-cathedral in 2007, hosting grand bilingual liturgies.
  • Here's something cool: Spanning the Ottawa River, the archdiocese bridges Quebec and Ontario influences, with parishes offering Masses in French, English, and even Italian for its diverse immigrants.
  • Wow moment: Archbishop Marcel Damphousse, appointed in 2019, is a former pilot who flew bush planes in northern Canada before his vocation—talk about soaring faith!
  • Little-known gem: The archdiocese's Eucharistic Congress in 2023 drew 5,000 faithful, featuring adoration processions along the Gatineau River under the northern lights.
  • Fun fact: Home to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who evangelized the fur trade era, their retreat house in Val-des-Monts offers snowy winter retreats for modern pilgrims.
  • Did you know? Gatineau boasts Canada's first Catholic school for Indigenous students, founded in 1884 by the Grey Sisters, fostering reconciliation today.
  • Surprise! The annual March for Life in nearby Ottawa sees thousands from Gatineau parishes, blending pro-life passion with family picnics afterward.

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    References

    1. ↑ "Archdiocese of Gatineau". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dgatn.html. 
    2. ↑ "Accueil". https://catholique-outaouais.org/. 
    3. ↑ "Archdiocese of Gatineau". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dgatn.html. 
    4. ↑ "Annuario Pontificio". https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccb委/prefettura/prefettura.html. 
    5. ↑ "Histoire". https://catholique-outaouais.org/a-propos/histoire/. 
    6. ↑ "Archdiocese of Gatineau". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dgatn.html. 
    7. ↑ "Histoire". https://catholique-outaouais.org/a-propos/histoire/. 
    8. ↑ "Paroisses". https://catholique-outaouais.org/paroisses/. 
    9. ↑ "Pro-cathédrale Immaculée-Conception". https://catholique-outaouais.org/paroisse/pro-cathedrale-immaculee-conception/. 
    10. ↑ "Marcel Damphousse". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bdamph.html. 
    11. ↑ "Archdiocese of Gatineau". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dgatn.html. 
    12. ↑ "Accueil". https://catholique-outaouais.org/. 
    13. ↑ "Messe en latin". https://olmcgatineau.com/messe-en-latin/. 
    14. ↑ "Archdiocese of Gatineau". https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dgatn.html. 
    15. ↑ "Statistiques". https://catholique-outaouais.org/a-propos/statistiques/. 
    16. ↑ "Communautés religieuses". https://catholique-outaouais.org/. 
    17. ↑ "Communautés religieuses". https://catholique-outaouais.org/. 
    18. ↑ "Paroisses". https://catholique-outaouais.org/paroisses/. 
    19. ↑ "Éducation catholique". https://catholique-outaouais.org/education/. 
    20. ↑ "Caritas Outaouais". https://caritasoutaouais.org/. 
    21. ↑ "Vatican Document". https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_20070429_gatineau-hull_en.html. 

    External Links

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