Leadership change at the Diocese of Saint-Jean–Longueuil
The Diocese of Saint-Jean–Longueuil has entered a new chapter in its leadership. Bishop Martin Laliberté has been named diocesan bishop, assuming responsibility following the resignation of Bishop Charles Hamelin, which Pope Leo XIV accepted on July 11. Laliberté had already been serving in Longueuil as coadjutor bishop, positioned to take over the post. The transition ends a tenure for Hamelin that began in 2016 as auxiliary and moved to the diocesan seat in 2019.
“Bishop Martin Laliberté has been appointed Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil.”
Hamelin, ordained a priest in 1977, submitted his resignation after turning 75. His years in the diocese’s top role spanned a period of demographic change and evolving parish needs across the South Shore. The diocese itself comprises 43 parishes and missions, serving a Catholic population estimated at more than 462,000.
A bishop with deep missionary roots
Laliberté, 61, brings international and administrative experience. Before his episcopal appointments, he spent two years in Haiti as a lay missionary, then joined the Quebec Foreign Mission Society. Ordained in 1995, he carried out pastoral and missionary work in Brazil’s Amazon region from 1996 to 2004. On returning to Quebec, he became Vicar General of the society and later its Superior General in 2013, a role he continued after being re-elected in 2018. His episcopal path included appointments as Auxiliary Bishop of Quebec in 2019 and Bishop of Trois-Rivières in 2022. Earlier this year, he was named coadjutor in Saint-Jean–Longueuil, positioning him to succeed upon vacancy of the see.
Beyond diocesan leadership, Laliberté carries national responsibilities. He is Bishop ponens for the French sector of the Canadian bishops’ Pontifical Mission Societies, and serves as the bishops’ representative for the Quebec region on the national council of Development and Peace – Caritas Canada. Those roles underscore his longstanding ties to global mission work and Catholic development efforts.
What the transition means locally
The appointment ensures continuity for parishioners and staff who have worked with Laliberté since his arrival as coadjutor. With more than 462,000 Catholics in the diocese, the leadership handover affects parish governance, pastoral planning and coordination with community partners on the South Shore. The network of 43 parishes and missions relies on the bishop’s office for appointments, oversight of sacramental life and guidance on outreach priorities.
For local congregations in Longueuil and neighbouring communities, the new bishop’s background in mission and administration may inform how the diocese supports multilingual parishes, coordinates formation, and engages in social action alongside regional agencies. While no immediate changes were announced, the shift at the top of the curia typically prompts a review of ongoing initiatives and pastoral objectives across the territory.
Hamelin’s years of service
Hamelin’s departure follows canonically established norms tied to age, marking the end of decades in ordained ministry. He became a bishop in the diocese in 2016 as auxiliary before being named to lead the diocese in 2019. As he steps back, the handover to a successor already familiar with the diocese may help maintain momentum on files ranging from parish support to community engagement.
At a glance: Diocese of Saint-Jean–Longueuil
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| New bishop | Martin Laliberté |
| Outgoing bishop | Charles Hamelin |
| Resignation accepted | July 11 |
| Parishes and missions | 43 |
| Catholic population | 462,000+ |
| Key prior roles | Auxiliary Bishop of Quebec (2019); Bishop of Trois-Rivières (2022) |
Key points for parishioners
- Continuity is expected as Laliberté moves from coadjutor to diocesan bishop.
- The diocese’s size—43 parishes and missions serving 462,000+ Catholics—highlights the significance of the role.
- Laliberté’s mission background and national portfolios may shape future diocesan priorities.
As the Diocese of Saint-Jean–Longueuil navigates this transition, parishioners across Longueuil can expect the new bishop’s office to maintain core services while assessing pastoral needs. The change aligns with established procedures and closes a page on Hamelin’s tenure, ushering in an era led by a bishop with international experience and strong ties to Catholic mission networks.
