The sound of hymns filled St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral on Monday afternoon as Catholics from across northeastern Ontario gathered for a special occasion – the ordination of Roch Martin as the eighth Bishop of Timmins.
The cathedral was filled with people from different parishes, religious communities and generations who came together to welcome their new bishop. For many, it was an opportunity not only to witness an important moment in the life of the Diocese of Timmins, but also to reconnect with members of the wider Catholic community.
Among those attending were Sisters Victoria Alapa and Lucy Agbo, who travelled from Sudbury for the ceremony. The sisters are members of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, a religious order founded in Nigeria.
“We are happy for him,” Sister Alapa said as she entered the cathedral. Martin had previously served as vicar general of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, where the sisters are also part of the Catholic community.
A New Chapter for the Diocese
Martin was born in Sturgeon Falls and spent much of his pastoral ministry serving parishes throughout the Greater Sudbury area. Before coming to Timmins in 2021, he served as vicar general of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie.
His appointment as Bishop of Timmins was announced by Pope Leo XIV on May 1. He now takes responsibility for a diocese made up of 28 parishes and missions and approximately 48,900 Catholics.
The Diocese of Timmins covers the southeastern portion of the District of Cochrane as well as the entire District of Timiskaming, making it one of the important Catholic communities in northeastern Ontario.
For people attending Monday’s ceremony, the occasion was also about community. Volunteer Cathy Davis, who is helping organize the upcoming Terry Fox Run, said simply being inside the cathedral and seeing so many familiar faces made the event special.
“It’s amazing just to see people from all different generations and areas of our diocese,” she said.
A Ceremony Filled With Tradition
The ordination followed the traditional rites of the Catholic Church. The ceremony began with a processional hymn before moving through the presentation and election of the bishop-elect, his examination, the Litany of the Saints and the proclamation of the Gospel.
Archbishop Marcel Damphousse of Ottawa and Archbishop Thomas Dowd of Sault Ste. Marie assisted with the ordination.
At the heart of the ceremony was the laying on of hands by the bishops, followed by the consecratory prayer. According to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, this part of the sacrament represents the bishop receiving the fullness of holy orders and the grace needed for his ministry of sanctifying, teaching and guiding the people of God.
Martin was then presented with the traditional symbols of his new office – the Book of the Gospels, episcopal ring, mitre and crozier.
Each item carries its own meaning and represents the responsibilities that come with serving as a bishop and spiritual leader.
People From Across the Region
The gathering also brought together people from well beyond Timmins. Among those in attendance were Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau and George Othmer, a former mayor of Cobalt, who travelled to the ceremony with his wife.
Other explained that they came from St. Patrick’s Parish in Cobalt to represent their community. His wife was also taking part in the ceremony as one of the readers.
For them, and for many others in the cathedral, the journey was about more than simply attending an event. It was a way to show support for the new bishop and to be part of an important moment for the region’s Catholic community.
Continuing the Diocese’s Journey
Martin succeeds Bishop Serge Poitras, who served as Bishop of Timmins beginning in 2012.
As Martin begins his new role, he inherits a diocese spread across a large part of northeastern Ontario, with communities ranging from larger centres to smaller and more remote parishes.
Monday’s ordination marked the beginning of that next chapter. With church bells, hymns and prayers filling St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral, the Diocese of Timmins formally welcomed its new shepherd – surrounded by the people and communities he will now serve.
