Proulx fills void in bishop-less New Brunswick diocese

Catholics in Bathurst, N.B., who have been without a bishop since last year, are welcoming a new shepherd.

Pope Francis has named Fr. Michel Proulx, O. Praem., as the new Bishop of Bathurst.

Proulx is an author of several books and since 2008 has been prior of the Norbertine Premonstratensian Monastery in St. Constant, Que., in the Diocese of St. Jean-Longueuil.

Proulx, 62, was born in St. Lambert, Que., and ordained in 1990. He has a doctorate in theology from the University of Montreal and completed training in psychology and psychotherapy.

In addition to serving as prior at the monastery, he has been novice master and a member of his order’s International Commission for Initial and Ongoing Formation.

He has served at St. Constant Parish in St. Jean Longueil and taught Biblical studies at several colleges and universities including Montreal’s Grand Seminaire.

He was president of the Canadian Religious Conference from 2012 to 2014 and a member of the conference’s theological commission. He has been on his diocese’s ecumenical commission, presbyteral council and council for consecrated life, and is diocesan leader of Biblical animation for the diocese.

He has produced and hosted more than 300 programs in Biblical exegesis on Radio Ville-Marie (2002-2012), and hosts a Biblical program on Radio VM and Radio Galilee, said a statement from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

His books include Entre puissance et dépouillement, a guide to praying the Gospel of Mark, published by St. Paul Media.

The Bathurst diocese has been without a bishop since last October when the Pope appointed previous Bishop Daniel Jodoin as Bishop of Nicolet, Que.