New bishop named for Nelson

Father John Corriveau, a Capuchin monk and former General Minister of the order, has been named Bishop of Nelson by Pope Benedict XVI, The B.C. Catholic learned at press time.

The Pope also accepted the resignation of Bishop Eugene Cooney of Nelson. Bishop Cooney turned 75 last year, the age at which bishops are required to submit their resignations to Rome.

Father John Corriveau is provincial of the central Canadian province of Capuchins, based in Toronto. After serving several terms as minister provincial there he was elected to serve as a Definitor General in Rome, according to the web site of Holy Name Province, the largest community of Franciscan friars in the U.S.

He was later elected to serve two terms as Minister General of the Capuchin-Franciscan Order, which is one of three branches of the Franciscan First Order, says the web site, and he has been a strong advocate of the fraternal charism of Capuchin life during his time in leadership at the international level.

He also developed a body of circular letters in which he ties the spirituality of Franciscan life together with the spirituality of social justice.