YELLOWKNIFE, Northwest Territories, MAY 12, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Bishop Denis Croteau, meaning Coadjutor Bishop Murray Chatlain now takes over the Mackenzie-Fort Smith Diocese.
For almost 22 years, Bishop Croteau, 75, served the sprawling, sparsely populated diocese that covers most of the Northwest Territories and portions of neighboring provinces and territories.
Murray Chatlain, 45, was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He was ordained a priest in 1987 and was appointed the coadjutor bishop of Mackenzie-Fort Smith in 2007.
The Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith is served by just eight diocesan and religious priests, three permanent deacons, 15 religious, and 16 pastoral workers. They minister to a population of about 20,110 Catholics (some 68% of the overall population) in 40 parishes and missions spread over 588,413 square miles.
