General

(CCCB)The Most Reverend Raymond Roussin, S.M., Archbishop Emeritus of Vancouver, died on April 24, 2015, in Winnipeg, at the age of 75.

He had been named Bishop of the former Diocese of Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan, by Saint John Paul II on April 10, 1995, and Coadjutor Bishop of Victoria on September 14, 1998. He became Bishop of Victoria on March 18, 1999. On January 10, 2004, he was named Archbishop of Vancouver. For health problems, at the age of 68, his resignation was accepted by the Holy Father on January 2, 2009.

Archbishop Roussin was born in Saint Boniface, Manitoba, in 1939 and ordained to the priesthood on March 21, 1970. A member of the Marianists (the Society of Mary), he served as the Director of the Marianist community in Saint Boniface, 1971-1979 and 1987-1995, as well as Provincial Superior for the Marianists in Canada, 1980-1987. In the Archdiocese of Saint Boniface, he served as the Director of Vocations, member of the Presbyteral Council, and Director of Saint Boniface Diocesan High School. He also served as a Member of the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg. From 1984 to 1986, he was President of the Western Conference of Religious.

During his episcopal ministry, Archbishop Roussin served as Vice President of the Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops and on the CCCB Permanent Council (1997-1999), as well as a member of the former Commission for Christian Education of the French Sector (1995-1999) and of its former Commission for Liturgy (1999-2003). He was also the CCCB liaison Bishop with Canadian Catholic Campus Ministry. In 1999, he was named by Saint John Paul II to participate in the European Synod of Bishops in Rome.

His Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, May 2, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Boniface. The Most Reverend Albert LeGatt, Archbishop of Saint Boniface, will preside at the celebration. A Vigil will take place the day before at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral.