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Richard W. Smith

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His Grace, The Most Reverend

Richard W. Smith
Archbishop-designate of Vancouver
SeeVancouver
PredecessorJ. Michael Miller
Previous post(s)
Orders
OrdinationMay 23, 1987
ConsecrationJune 18, 2002
by Marcel Gervais
Personal details
Born (1959-04-28) April 28, 1959 (age 65)
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
DenominationRoman Catholic
Alma mater
MottoFiat Voluntas Tua
(English: "Thy Will Be Done")
Coat of armsRichard W. Smith's coat of arms
Ordination history
History
Priestly ordination
DateMay 23, 1987
Episcopal consecration
Principal consecratorMarcel Gervais (Ottawa)
Co-consecratorsTerrence Prendergast (Halifax)
Austin-Emile Burke (Halifax em.)
DateJune 18, 2002
Episcopal succession
Bishops consecrated by Richard W. Smith as principal consecrator
Gregory BittmanSeptember 3, 2012[1][2]
Paul TerrioDecember 12, 2012[3][4]
Gary FrankenDecember 12, 2022[5][6]
Source(s):[7]
Styles of
Richard W. Smith
Reference style
Spoken style
Religious styleArchbishop

Richard William Smith (born April 28, 1959) is a Canadian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the archbishop-designate of Vancouver, having previously served as Bishop of Pembroke and Archbishop of Edmonton.

The Archbishop is currently a member of the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA).[8]

Early Life

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Smith was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on April 28, 1959.[9][10]

Education

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Smith studied at St. Mary's University, obtaining a bachelor's degree in communication. He received a Master of Divinity at the Atlantic School of Theology. He furthered his studies in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University, from which he earned a Licentiate (1993) and Doctorate in Sacred Theology (1998).[9][10]

Smith was a professor of sacramental and dogmatic theology at St. Peter's Seminary in London, Ontario. He contributed to diocesan formation programs for deacons and lay faithful.[11][12]

Presbyteral ministry

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Smith was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1987, for the metropolitan Archdiocese of Halifax–Yarmouth.[10]

Within the Archdiocese of Halifax–Yarmouth, he served in a number of positions. In 1987 to 1991, he served as the parish vicar of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Truro. In 1990, Smith was made chaplain responsible for the pastoral ministry of French-speaking Catholics in Halifax.[10][13] In 1995, he received his first pastoral charge as a parish priest for Saint Peter in Sheet Harbour. In 1997, he became the parish priest of the towns of Bridgewater and Lunenburg, as well as the community of Elmwood. In 1999, he became the administrator of Saint John the Baptist in Halifax. In 2001, Smith was made vicar general and held the position until 2002. [10]

Episcopal ministry

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Regional and National (2002–Present)

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Since 2003, Smith has been a member of the English Sector Commission for Christian Education in the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

In 2009, Smith was made Vice President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. In 2011, he became the conference's President and held the position until 2013. He serves as the conference's current Chairman. Smith was a member of the conference's Episcopal Working Group for the Coordination of Indigenous Initiatives and then of the Ad hoc Committee for Indigenous Issues[10][12][13]

In 2015, Smith was selected as the second national delegate of the English Sector to the XIV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.[12]

In 2018, Smith participated in reconciliation dialogue with Canadian national Indigenous leadership. In April 2022, Smith participated in the Indigenous delegation that met with Pope Francis in Rome. He was the lead coordinator for the Visit by Pope Francis to Canada in 2022.[14][15][12][16][17]

He is also the national spiritual advisor of the Catholic Women's League of Canada, and President of the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops.[13]

Pembroke (2002–2007)

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On April 27, 2002, Smith was appointed the seventh Bishop of Pembroke by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration at St. Columbkille Cathedral, on the following June 18 from Archbishop Marcel Gervais, with Archbishops Terrence Prendergast, S.J., and Austin-Emile Burke serving as co-consecrators.[12][18]

Edmonton (2007–2025)

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He was later named the eighth metropolitan Archbishop of Edmonton by Pope Benedict XVI on March 22, 2007, being formally installed on the following May 1.[18]

In January 2016, Smith visited the Pallotine Province of the Assumption of the B.V.M. in Bangalore, India. Eight Pallotines of the province serve in the Archdiocese of Edmonton.[19]

Vancouver (2025–Present)

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Pope Francis appointed Smith Archbishop of Vancouver on February 25, 2025.[8][10][16][17]

Media

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Smith co-hosted Upfront with the Archbishop with Jenny Connelly from May 10, 2022, until its conclusion on October 29, 2024, releasing 106 episodes ranging from 18 minutes to an hour and a half. The podcast was published on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and select episodes included video which was published on the podcasts YouTube channel of the same name. The podcast sought to strengthen the relationship between the hierarchy and the faithful through informal conversations about our Catholic faith. [20][21]

CBC News' Clare Bonnyman interviewed Smith and Connelly about their podcast on CBC News' podcast Deep Dive.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Jodoin, Daniel (September 4, 2012). "Ordination of Bishop Gregory Bittman". Salt + Light Media. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  2. ^ "Episcopal ordination of Auxiliary Bishop Gregory Bittman of Edmonton". Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. August 31, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  3. ^ Huser, Janice (December 18, 2012). "Bishop Terrio welcomed and ordained as leader of diocese". Lakeland Today. Archived from the original on February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  4. ^ "Ordination of the new Bishop of Saint-Paul". Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. December 13, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  5. ^ Cabradilla, Mario (December 14, 2022). "New bishop ordained at St. Paul cathedral". Lakeland Today. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  6. ^ "New bishop of St. Paul answers the call". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton. December 14, 2022. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  7. ^ "Archbishop Richard W. Smith". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton. Archived from the original on February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Appointment of The Most Reverend Richard W. Smith as Twelfth Archbishop of Vancouver". Archdiocese of Vancouver. February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ a b "Most Reverend Richard Smith". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Resignations and Appointments". Holy See Press Office. Holy See. February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  11. ^ Palmo, Rocco (2007-03-22). "Bishop Smith Goes to Edmonton". Whispers in the Loggia.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Episcopal Resignation and Appointment for the Archdiocese of Vancouver". Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. February 25, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ a b c "Most Reverend Richard Smith named Archbishop of Edmonton". Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. 2007-03-22.
  14. ^ Smith, Richard (November 24, 2021). "Special Delegation of Indigenous Peoples to Encounter Pope Francis in Rome" (PDF). Old Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton. Retrieved February 26, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ ArchEdmonton (Nov 24, 2021). "Archbishop Smith talks about upcoming Indigenous Delegation to Rome | @ArchEdmonton". YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ a b "Pope names Archbishop Smith of Edmonton next Archbishop of Vancouver, accepts Archbishop Miller's retirement". The B.C. Catholic. February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  17. ^ a b "Ailing Pope Frances appoints new Archbishop of Vancouver". The Canadian Press. Feb 25, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ a b "Archbishop Richard William Smith". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.[self-published source]
  19. ^ "Visit of Most Rev. Richard William Smith", ABVM Province, bangalorepallottines.com. Accessed April 24, 2022.
  20. ^ "Upfront with the Archbishop". The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton.
  21. ^ a b "Conversations for the congregation: The rise of religious podcasts in Edmonton". CBC News. August 27, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Pembroke
2002—2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Archbishop of Edmonton
2007–2025 		Vacant
Preceded by Archbishop of Vancouver
Assuming position in 2025 		Incumbent
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