Diocese of Pembroke

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The Diocese of Pembroke, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese in the province of Ontario, Canada. Established on 11 July 1889 by Pope Leo XIII, it is led by Bishop René Guérette since his installation on 25 March 2024. A member of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ottawa, the diocese encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles of rural and northern Ontario, serving about 95,000 Catholics in 51 parishes amid a landscape of forests, lakes, and the Ottawa Valley. Notably, it has fostered strong vocations, with recent bishops promoting priestly formation and traditional devotions.

Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Pembroke

Diocese: Diocese of Pembroke
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of Ottawa
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall
Country:Canada
Region:Ontario
Bishop:René Guérette
Website:https://diocesepembroke.org/
Newspaper:https://diocesepembroke.org/news/
Catholic %:15.2%
Elementary Schools:22
High Schools:4
Deaneries:6
Priests:58
Existence:1889–
Predecessor Dioceses:Diocese of Ottawa
Catholic Hospitals:1
Rating:4.0
Chancery Address:325 Renfrew Street

Pembroke, ON K8A 6K4

Canada

Establishment

The Diocese of Pembroke was canonically erected on 11 July 1889 through the apostolic constitution Supremi apostolatus officio issued by Pope Leo XIII, carved from the eastern portion of the Diocese of Ottawa. This creation addressed the pastoral needs of the growing Catholic population in the Ottawa Valley and northern Ontario, regions settled by Irish, French-Canadian, and German immigrants amid lumber and farming industries.[1][2]

History

The diocese developed from missionary efforts in the 19th century, with early priests serving scattered settlements. Boundary adjustments occurred in 1938, when parts were transferred to the new Diocese of Timmins, and minor changes in 1952 and 1963 refined its territory.[3]

Key milestones include the construction of the Cathedral of the Holy Name in 1900 and the establishment of Catholic schools under separate boards. The diocese navigated challenges like rural depopulation and secularization, emphasizing evangelization and vocations.

Geography

The Diocese of Pembroke covers a vast rural territory of roughly 52,000 square kilometres in eastern and northern Ontario, primarily the County of Renfrew and portions of the District of Nipissing. It includes:

  • County of Renfrew (fully)
  • Townships of Bonfield, Chisholm, East Ferris, Machar, Martel, Nightingale, Papineau-Cameron, South River, Strong (Nipissing District)
  • Northern half of Whitestone Township (Parry Sound District)

The diocese is situated in the Ecclesiastical Province of Ottawa, bordering the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall to the south and the Diocese of Hearst to the north.[4]

Mother church

Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus in Pembroke serves as the mother church. Constructed between 1898 and 1900 in Romanesque Revival style with later additions, it was consecrated in 1952 after renovations and features stunning stained glass windows depicting Canadian saints.[5]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Bishop René Guérette was appointed on 12 December 2023 and installed on 25 March 2024. A priest of the Diocese of Amos with experience in parish ministry and chancery roles, he emphasizes family faith formation and priestly vocations.[6]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Charles Hugh Gauthier 1889–1921 First bishop; built foundational parishes and schools.
Joseph Patrick Ryan 1922–1947 Expanded missions; died in office.
William Joseph Smith 1947–1971 Oversaw post-war growth; attended Vatican II.
James Leonard Doyle 1971–1987 Promoted Catholic education; retired.
Frank Joseph Kruppa 1987–1998 Focused on rural evangelization; died in office.
Peter Joseph Schmalz 1999–2018 Emphasized youth ministry; retired.
Christian Boon 2018–2023 Advanced digital outreach; transferred to Rouyn-Noranda.

According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[7]

Theological and cultural orientation

The diocese rates as somewhat conservative (4.0), with weekly Traditional Latin Masses offered in several parishes including the cathedral, a balanced emphasis on pro-life advocacy alongside social services for the rural poor, and leadership prioritizing Eucharistic devotion and vocations under bishops supportive of traditional practices.[8][9]

Statistics

As of 2021, the diocese spans 52,000 km² (20,000 sq mi), serves 94,800 registered Catholics (15.2% of total population of 623,000), and includes 51 parishes and missions with 58 priests (47 diocesan, 11 religious), 30 permanent deacons, and 180 religious sisters/brothers.[10]

Religious Communities

Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement

The Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement support retreats and parish ministry at Graymoor Friary in Renfrew County.[11] Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement

Sisters of the Presentation of Mary

The Sisters of the Presentation of Mary operate schools and elderly care in Deep River and surrounding areas. Address: Presentation Manor, 20 Mohns Ave, Pembroke, ON K8A 2C4.[12]

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate serve indigenous missions in Nipissing District. Address: Our Lady of the Airways, South River, ON.[13]

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in the Diocese of Pembroke
Diocese of Pembroke

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This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

No results The Diocese of Pembroke maintains 51 parishes organized into 6 deaneries: Pembroke, Renfrew, Deep River-Chalk River, Killaloe, Barry's Bay, and North Bay Area. These serve diverse English, French, and Polish communities, with notable shrines like the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Renfrew.[14]

Mission and services

Catholic Education

The diocese supports education through the Pembroke Catholic District School Board and Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board, operating 22 elementary and 4 high schools:

School Name City Type Website
Bishop Laflèche Catholic Elementary School Pembroke Elementary
Bishop Smith Catholic Secondary School Pembroke High School https://www.pcdsb.on.ca/school/bsmith/
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Elementary School Renfrew Elementary
St. Columba Catholic Elementary School Pembroke Elementary
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School Pembroke High School
Other schools listed in full at List of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pembroke.

Numbers approximate; full list at List of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pembroke.[15]

Community Outreach

Diocesan Catholic Family Services provides food banks, counseling, and refugee support, assisting over 5,000 individuals annually. Development and Peace-Share Life campaigns address global poverty and local life issues.[16]

Notable Events or Figures

  • The 1952 cathedral consecration by Cardinal James Charles McGuigan drew thousands, marking post-war renewal.[17]
  • Bishop William J. Smith attended the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), influencing local implementation of liturgical reforms.
  • Annual Ottawa Valley pilgrimages to Marian shrines attract pilgrims from across Ontario.

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Pembroke:


  • Did you know? Pope Leo XIII established the Diocese of Pembroke in 1889 to serve hardy Catholic settlers in the Ottawa Valley's lumber camps and farms, with its first bishop riding horseback to visit remote missions!
  • Surprise! The Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus boasts stunning stained-glass windows showing Canadian saints like St. Marguerite d'Youville, blending local pride with heavenly art.
  • Here's something cool: The diocese spans vast wilderness perfect for canoeing saints—early missionaries paddled lakes to bring the faith to indigenous communities and trappers.
  • Wow moment: Bishop Gauthier, the first ordinary, built over 30 churches in his 32 years, turning frontier outposts into thriving parishes through sheer determination.
  • Little-known gem: Renfrew's National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes hosts an annual pilgrimage drawing thousands for healing waters in Ontario's own "Lourdes."
  • Fun fact: The diocese celebrates Polish heritage at St. Hedwig Parish in Barry's Bay, with pierogi feasts and vibrant May crowning processions.
  • Did you know? Recent vocation booms have seen young men from rural parishes enter seminaries, inspired by outdoorsy retreats and priestly adventure stories.
  • Surprise! Deep River's atomic-era parish, Our Lady of Fatima, served uranium mine workers, blending faith with Canada's peaceful nuclear history.

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    Associated saints

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    Diocesan photos

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    References

    1. ↑ "Diocese of Pembroke". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dpemb.html. 
    2. ↑ "Roman Catholic Diocese of Pembroke". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Pembroke. 
    3. ↑ "Diocese of Pembroke". https://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/pembroke-can151.htm. 
    4. ↑ "About the Diocese". https://diocesepembroke.org/about/. 
    5. ↑ "Holy Name Cathedral". https://diocesepembroke.org/holy-name-cathedral/. 
    6. ↑ "Bishop René Guérette". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bguerette.html. 
    7. ↑ "Diocese of Pembroke". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dpemb.html. 
    8. ↑ "Liturgical Life". https://diocesepembroke.org/worship/liturgical-life/. 
    9. ↑ "Justice and Peace". https://diocesepembroke.org/justice-peace/. 
    10. ↑ "Diocese of Pembroke". https://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/pembroke-can151.htm. 
    11. ↑ "Religious Communities". https://diocesepembroke.org/religious-communities/. 
    12. ↑ "Religious Communities". https://diocesepembroke.org/religious-communities/. 
    13. ↑ "Oblates of Mary Immaculate". https://www.omiworld.org. 
    14. ↑ "Parish Directory". https://diocesepembroke.org/parish-directory/. 
    15. ↑ "Pembroke Catholic District School Board". https://www.pcdsb.on.ca/. 
    16. ↑ "Catholic Family Services". https://diocesepembroke.org/catholic-family-services/. 
    17. ↑ "Cathedral History". https://diocesepembroke.org/holy-name-cathedral/history/. 

    External links

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