POPE BENEDICT XVI ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF ALOYSIUS CARDINAL AMBROZIC
Archbishop Thomas Collins Appointed As New Archbishop Of Toronto
TORONTO (16 December 2006) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, announced today that he has accepted the resignation of His Eminence, Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic, 76, as the Archbishop of Toronto. At the same time, the Holy Father has named Archbishop Thomas Collins, presently Archbishop of Edmonton, as the next Archbishop of Toronto. He will become the 12 th Bishop and 10 th Archbishop of Toronto to lead the diocese since it was established in 1842.
Cardinal Ambrozic spoke of the Holy Father’s appointment:
"I am most pleased to see that the Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Collins to lead the Archdiocese of Toronto. I have no doubt that he will be a responsible steward of the diocese, a faithful shepherd who will guide his flock for many years to come. I thank God for the privilege to serve as Archbishop and offer gratitude to the clergy and laity who have supported me during my time in the Archdiocese of Toronto. Be assured that you will always remain close to my heart and in my prayers."
Responding to his appointment, Archbishop Collins remarked:
"I am deeply honoured by the confidence the Holy Father has placed in me, calling me to lead the Archdiocese of Toronto, one of the most diverse dioceses in the world. At the same time, I must thank those whom I have served in the Archdiocese of Edmonton. I will always be grateful to them for their inspiring example of discipleship."
Archbishop Collins, born in Guelph, Ontario, was ordained a priest in 1973. He was named Bishop in 1997 and appointed Archbishop of Edmonton in 1999. He has also served as Rector of St. Peter’s Seminary in London.
Archbishop Collins’ ceremony of installation will take place in early 2007.
From Toronto to Midland, Oshawa to Mississauga, the Archdiocese of Toronto is the spiritual home to 1.6 million Catholics, celebrating Mass at 223 parishes in more than 30 languages each week.
The first book that I finished this year was Introduction to Christianity by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI). This book is just one
of many books I have read by the cardinal. From the very first book by him that came to my hands (Spirit of the Liturgy) I was drowned into this
man's incredible mind.
A Ratzinger book is always full of insight and it is almost impossible to pull all the information out of his books on the first read. Introduction to Christianity
is no different. It is a deep book. A book that follows the Apostles Creed as the basis of explaining the Christian faith. Faith that is not just something
abstract that people do in their spare time but real and fundamental aspect of reality. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.