Fr. Paul Kavanagh has been canonically elected Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Edmonton following former Archbishop Richard Smith’s exit to become the shepherd of Vancouver.

Kavanagh, a product of Bell Island, Nfld., was chosen for this position on May 23 by the College of Consultors, a group of eight clerics selected by the diocesan bishop to assist in governance. He will remain in this stewardship role until the ninth Metropolitan Archbishop of Edmonton, yet to be appointed by Pope Leo XIV, is formally installed.

An ordained priest since 2002, Kavanagh said “it is an honour to serve the lay faithful, the consecrated women and men and the clergy of this vibrant local Church, and I do so humbly.”

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While an apostolic administrator takes on many of the duties of a bishop, there are several key limitations to his authority:

• He cannot start new diocesan initiatives;
• He is not permitted to establish or close a parish;
• He is not authorized to appoint a pastor of a parish within his first year;
• He is not allowed to incardinate priests into the archdiocese leaving another diocese or a religious institute.

Kavanagh told The Catholic Register that his main intent is maintaining continuity by ensuring that the “ministries and the parishes of the archdiocese continue to operate and are supported.”

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Before this recent elevation, Kavanagh was episcopal vicar for clergy in the archdiocese. In this role he sought to substitute for priests away from their parish on retreat or vocation. Some weekend fill-in assignments were booked in his calendar well before he was named apostolic administrator. He intends to adhere to that schedule as much as possible to remain connected with the church-going community.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission, B.C., and a Master of Divinity from St. Joseph Seminary and Newman Theological College in Edmonton, Kavanagh commences his duties with several other significant episcopal leadership experiences. In 2008, he became director of the Office of Divine Worship. In 2018, he was named rector of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Basilica, the seat of the Edmonton archdiocese. Along with becoming the episcopal vicar for clergy in 2021, he was also designated the senior lead of the mission leadership team.

Kavanagh said another objective during his tenure as apostolic administrator is to help continue implementing the 2024-2027 pastoral priorities of Worship, Witness and Service developed during the archdiocesan synodal listening sessions.

Kavanagh hopes to draw into greater communion with the Lord while offering Edmonton Catholics his servant leadership. He is already noticing an increased spiritual dependence on God.

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“Just in the last little while I have found myself praying more,” said Kavanagh. “I think that just deepens my own spiritual life. I offered Mass last Sunday for the people of the archdiocese. And I just thought, 'wow.’ In a sense, it seemed almost daunting. I just very quickly came to the realization ‘God is here. God is present.’

“I need the help of God in my life and maybe just these last few days, it might be just the worries of what can happen,” continued Kavanagh.  “But then I also see the grace of God in all of this too, which will help my spiritual life.”