Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, August 6, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The newly-named bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith once had what now seems like a prophetic conversation with an elder in a northern Saskatchewan community.

Rev. Murray Chatlain - photo courtesy of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith

The elder told Rev. Murray Chatlain that the community - part of the Mackenzie-Fort Smith Diocese - was hoping he would grow old with them.

"I guess that's going to happen," said Chatlain during an interview last week.

On June 23, Pope Benedict XVI named Chatlain, who is from Saskatoon, as the coadjutor bishop of the diocese covering all of the NWT, along with parts of western Nunavut and northern Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Chatlain, who is just 44, said it is possible he will be bishop of the diocese for the next 31 years, until mandatory retirement at 75.

"I'm going in saying I'm going to be in the NWT for the rest of my life," he said.

Chatlain noted he will be one of the youngest bishops in all of Canada.

As coadjutor bishop, Chatlain will be the successor to Denis Croteau, who has been bishop of the diocese for more than 21 years and will reach the mandatory retirement age of 75 in October.

Chatlain will be ordained coadjutor bishop on Sept. 14 in Yellowknife and will officially replace Croteau on Oct. 23.

When a bishop is close to retirement, a coadjutor bishop is sometimes named to assist and succeed him, while learning about the diocese.

After obtaining a Master's of Divinity at St. Peter's Seminary in London, Ont., Chatlain was ordained into the priesthood in 1987.

The bishop-to-be is currently pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in his hometown of Saskatoon. Chatlain also served for a year in La Loche and from 2002-2006 in Black Lake and Fond du Lac, which are aboriginal communities in northern Saskatchewan.

"I feel God has been preparing me to serve the people," Chatlain said. "I have a great affection for aboriginal people."

While in northern Saskatchewan, he even learned to speak some Chipewyan. "I can celebrate Mass in the language."

Chatlain said he still has lots to learn about the North.

However, he already has a sense of the challenges in his upcoming role as bishop, particularly the vast distances involved in serving the diocese.

Another challenge will be the relatively few priests - just six - for about 20,000 Roman Catholics in 35 parishes and missions.

"Definitely, the number of priests and their age and health is a big concern," Chatlain said.

However, he noted the biggest concern is the spiritual health of communities.

Chatlain said much of his first year as bishop will be spent getting to know the diocese and its people.

"I start with listening," he said.

Croteau said he knows Chatlain very well from having worked with him in northern Saskatchewan.

In fact, Croteau suggested Chatlain as his replacement because of his personality, love of nature and piety.

"To me, he's the best choice, absolutely," he said.

Croteau also agreed Chatlain has a great affection for aboriginal people. "I thought he would be a great bishop for this diocese, which is mostly native."

Croteau plans to stay in Yellowknife during his retirement and will be available to help the diocese by officiating at services in various communities.