Ottawa, Ontario - 12 January 2014
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the announcement that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has elevated His Grace, Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec, to the College of Cardinals, an international group of principal advisors to the Pontiff:
“The appointment of Gérald Cyprien Lacroix to the College of Cardinals is a tremendous honour for His Grace, for the Archdiocese of Québec and all members of the Catholic Church across Canada. It is a testament to his unfailing devotion to the Church, his remarkable spiritual strength and an unfailing work ethic.
“The College of Cardinals plays an important leadership role in the Catholic Church. With a long and distinguished career, Cardinal-designate Lacroix becomes the 17th Cardinal in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Canada.
“On behalf of our Government, I offer my congratulations to Cardinal-designate Lacroix as he begins this new phase of his ministry.”
Pope Francis has announced that the ceremony to elevate the new cardinals, known as a Consistory, will be held on February 22 at the Vatican.
