Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee

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The Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese in northern Ontario, Canada. Established on 3 May 1938 by Pope Pius XI as the Diocese of Hearst and renamed in 2018 to incorporate its historical Mooseonee mission territory, it is led by Bishop Marcel Damphousse since 2020.[1] As part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ottawa, the diocese serves a predominantly French-speaking Catholic community in remote regions, with about 25 parishes amid vast forests and lakes, highlighting its missionary heritage.

Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee

Diocese: Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of Ottawa
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Ottawa
Country:Canada
Region:Ontario
Bishop:Marcel Damphousse
Website:https://diocesemoosonee.org/
Catholic %:9.3%
Elementary Schools:0
High Schools:0
Deaneries:4
Priests:26
Existence:1938–
Catholic Hospitals:0
Rating:4.0
Chancery Address:330 rue De l'Église Hearst, ON P0L 1N0

Establishment

The Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee was canonically erected on 3 May 1938 by Pope Pius XI through the apostolic constitution Ad ea quae, carved from the Archdiocese of Ottawa.[2] It was created to address the pastoral needs of the growing French-Canadian Catholic population in northern Ontario's remote areas, initially covering Cochrane District with a focus on missionary work.[3]

History

The diocese's territory was originally part of the historic Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Ontario (Moosonee), established in 1871 for indigenous and settler missions.[4] In 1938, it became the Diocese of Hearst, serving francophone communities. On 12 January 2018, Pope Francis renamed it Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee to honor its missionary roots, expanding jurisdiction to include Timiskaming and northern Sudbury districts.[5]

Geography

The diocese covers approximately 224,000 square kilometres in northeastern Ontario, including:

  • Cochrane District
  • Timiskaming District
  • Northern Sudbury District

It falls within the Ecclesiastical Province of Ottawa and encompasses vast wilderness areas with small towns like Hearst, Kapuskasing, and Timmins.[6]

Mother church

Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité in Hearst serves as the mother church. Built in 1953 in a modern Romanesque style, it features a prominent spire and hosts major diocesan liturgies.[7]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Marcel Damphousse has served as bishop since 22 June 2020. Ordained in 1985, he previously served as auxiliary bishop of Ottawa and emphasizes evangelization in remote areas.[8]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Élie Arthur Salomé 1938–1946 First bishop; died in office.
Léonard Landry 1947–1972 Expanded parishes and schools; retired.
René Audet 1973–1991 Focused on native ministries; retired.
Jacques Landry 1992–2007 Oversaw modernization; retired.

According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[9]

Theological and cultural orientation

The diocese rates as somewhat conservative (4.0), with traditional liturgical practices including regular solemn Novus Ordo Masses and occasional Latin elements in larger parishes; social teachings prioritize life issues alongside outreach to indigenous communities; and Bishop Damphousse upholds doctrinal fidelity while promoting synodality.[10]

Statistics

The diocese spans 224,000 km², serving 18,000 registered Catholics (9.3% of total population of 194,000) across 25 parishes and 1 mission, with 26 priests.[11]

Religious Communities

Oblates of Mary Immaculate

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate have a long history in the diocese, supporting missions among First Nations. Address: Various parishes.[12] OMI Canada

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee
Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee

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This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

The diocese includes 25 parishes organized into 4 deaneries, serving francophone, anglophone, and indigenous communities in remote northern Ontario.[13]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

Catholic education is provided through public Catholic school boards like the Conseil scolaire catholique de l'Est ontarien, with no direct diocesan elementary or high schools listed.[14]

Community Outreach

Diocesan programs support food banks, indigenous reconciliation, and remote mission aid through Caritas Hearst–Moosonee.[15]

Notable Events or Figures

  • In 1938, the diocese's founding marked a key expansion of francophone Catholicism in Canada's north.[16]
  • Bishop Léonard Landry built over 20 churches during his tenure amid post-war growth.

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee:


  • Did you know? Created in 1938 by Pope Pius XI, the diocese was born to serve hardy French-Canadian loggers and trappers in Ontario's vast northern wilderness!
  • Surprise! Its name honors the historic Mooseonee mission, a 19th-century outpost that brought faith to Cree and Ojibwe peoples by canoe and dogsled.
  • Here's something cool: Covering an area bigger than France, the diocese has just 25 parishes—talk about a true missionary adventure!
  • Wow moment: Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité in Hearst boasts stunning stained glass depicting local saints and boreal forests.
  • Fun fact: First bishop Élie Salomé rode the rails and snowmobiles to visit far-flung faithful in the 1940s.
  • Little-known gem: The diocese celebrates its francophone roots with vibrant feast days like Saint-Jean-Baptiste amid the northern lights.
  • Did you know? Renamed in 2018 by Pope Francis, it now embraces its full Mooseonee heritage for modern evangelization.
  • Surprise! Priests here often double as pilots to reach isolated communities—faith takes flight!

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    Diocesan photos

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    References

    1. ↑ "Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dhear.html. 
    2. ↑ "Ad ea quae". https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/la/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-xi_apc_19380503_ad-ea-quae.html. 
    3. ↑ "Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dhear.html. 
    4. ↑ "Roman Catholic Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Hearst%E2%80%93Moosonee. 
    5. ↑ "Rinunce e Nomine". https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2018/01/12/180112b.html. 
    6. ↑ "À propos" (in fr). https://diocesemoosonee.org/a-propos/. 
    7. ↑ "Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité". https://gcatholic.org/churches/north-america/8675.htm. 
    8. ↑ "Marcel Damphousse". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bdamphousse.html. 
    9. ↑ "Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dhear.html. 
    10. ↑ "Home" (in fr). https://diocesemoosonee.org/. 
    11. ↑ "Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dhear.html. 
    12. ↑ "Oblates of Mary Immaculate". https://www.omiusa.org/. 
    13. ↑ "Paroisses" (in fr). https://diocesemoosonee.org/paroisses/. 
    14. ↑ "Conseil scolaire catholique de l'Est ontarien" (in fr). https://www.csceo.on.ca/. 
    15. ↑ "Home" (in fr). https://diocesemoosonee.org/. 
    16. ↑ "Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dhear.html. 

    External Links

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