About the Diocese of Yarmouth

Although the Diocese of Yarmouth is quite young (50th anniversary 1953-2003), the history of the church in the area actually can be trace to the first explorers and settlers of Port Royal. It was there that Father Nicolas Aubrey celebrated the first mass in the New World in 1605.

The diocese today embraces the 'Land of Evangeline' where the Expulsion of the Acadians took place in 1755, in event vividly portrayed in Longfellow's poem Evangeline.

Through the centuries, the church of the area has been served by many religious orders, including the Jesuits, the Récollet Fathers, the Franciscans, the Eudist Fathers, and the Oblate Fathers.

The present day Diocese of Yarmouth was formed in 1953 after Pope Pius XII recognized that the special needs of local Roman Catholics could best be served with a bishop resident in Yarmouth.

Watercolour image of Saint Ambrose in Yarmouth

The first bishop appointed to the new diocese was Bishop Albert Lemanager. Under his leadership, the church grew and flourished.

Bishop Lemanager was succeeded by Bishop Austin Emile Burke from 1968 to1991, who then became Archbishop of Halifax in 1991.

Our third bishop was James M. Wingle from 1993 to 2002.

In January 2002 Archbishop Prendergast was appointed Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese.

On March 25, 2003, Bishop Claude Champagne o.m.i., was appointed auxilary bishop of Halifax with residence in Yarmouth. He is called to serve particularly the francophone and Acadian communities of the two dioceses: Yarmouth and Halifax.