General

Bishop Robert Lebel, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Valleyfield, passed away on May 25, 2015. He was 90 years old.

Ordained a priest in 1950 in Trois-Pistoles for the Archdiocese of Rimouski, he was named an auxiliary bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil in 1974 and then appointed the Bishop of Valleyfield, serving from 1976 to 2000. 
 
The bishop's remains will lie in Sainte-Cécile's Basilica Cathedral in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield on Tuesday June 2, 2015, between 2 PM and 9 PM, and on Wednesday, June 3, at 10:30 AM.  

At 2 PM, Bishop Noël Simard will preside at Bishop Lebel's funeral in the cathedral, after which his remains will be buried in the bishops' section of Valleyfield's cemetery.  

The parish of Saint-Clément in Beauharnois will lead a Celebration of the Word at 7:30 PM on June 2.   

In addition to Bishop Noël Simard, the diocesan families of Rimouski, Saint-Jean-Longueuil, and Valleyfield also mourn the death of Bishop Lebel; as do his sisters, Cécile Lebel-Rioux, Lucienne Lebel-Lagacé, Sister Annette Lebel, src, Denise Lebel-Morency; his brother Dr. Marcel Lebel; his nephews, nieces, and all the members of the Lebel, Bélanger, Lagacé and Pettigrew families.   

In his memory, a donation may be made to Fonds Mgr Lebel, 11, rue de l'Église, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC J6T 1J5. With these funds, Bishop Robert Lebel supported youth ministry, a cause close to his heart.

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