Most Reverend Richard Smith
was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 28, 1959. He studied at St. Mary's University and at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax. Ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1987, he pursued further studies in Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and earned a Licence in 1993 and a Doctorate in 1998. After some fruitful years of ministry in the Archdiocese of Halifax, he was appointed Bishop of Pembroke on April 27, 2002 and ordained to the episcopate on June 18, 2002. Pope Benedict XVI , on March 22, 2007, appointed him to the Metropolitan See of Edmonton. Archbishop Richard Smith was formally installed as eighth Archbishop of Edmonton on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. He currently serves as President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Archbishop is supported in carrying out his office by the following:
The Vicar General assists in the governance of the Archdiocese and acts for the Archbishop in his absence.
The Chancellor is responsible for overseeing the work of the Pastoral and Administration Offices, and acts in the name of the Archbishop by way of delegation.
The Vice-Chancellor directs the Office of Canonical Services, which processes requests for marriage dispensations from parishes in the Archdiocese of Edmonton, keeps the ardiocesan archives and manages sacramental records. The Vice-Chancellor is also responsible for the Office of Family and Life, which offers services to those preparing for marriage, supports parish marriage ministry, and promotes initiatives that honour the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. In addition, through the Alberta Regional Tribunal, the office assists those persons who request a study of a marriage for a possible declaration of nullity. The Tribunal serves the dioceses of Edmonton, St. Paul, Grouard-McLennan, and Mackenzie-Fort Smith.
The Director of Liturgy encourages full and fruitful participation in liturgy by providing education, support, direction, leadership and resources to all parishes.
The Director of Vocations assists the faithful in discerning their vocations and has a particular mandate to promote vocations to the priesthood.
The Director of Evangelization and Catechesis has overall responsibility for Catechesis, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, Missions, Pastoral Care, Social Justice, Youth Evangelization, and New Evangelization initiatives including Stewardship, Nothing More Beautiful and the Together in Ministery training and formation program for parish pastoral councils.
The Director of Development provides leadership, co-ordination and strategic initiatives for a variety of projects that help the Archdiocese achieve its financial goals, including parish and capital campaigns, planned giving, endowments, and special fundraising events and campaigns
The Director of Communications and Public Relations is responsible for sharing the Archbishop's pastoral letters and other news with the faithful of the Archdiocese as well as with the larger community and the news media.
The Financial Administrator directs the Office of Finance and Accounting, which cares for the financial affairs of the people of the Archdiocese. The office is also responsible for development foundations, information technology and property management. The Assistant Financial Administrator has specific responsibility for the finances of Edmonton Catholic Cemeteries, St. Joseph Seminary, Newman Theological College, and Villa Vianney.
The Human Resources Coordinator deals with issues related to employment.
Vicar General: Rt. Rev. J.H. (Jack) Hamilton
Chancellor: Rev. Gregory Bittman
Executive Assistant to the Archbishop: Rita Strauss
Executive Assistant to the Chancellor: Josée Marr
Vice-Chancellor: Vacant
Archivist: Shamin Malmas
Director of Liturgy: Rev. Paul Kavanagh
Director of Vocations: Rev. Paul Terrio
Director of Evangelization and Catechesis: Julien Hammond
Director of Development: Connie Lunde
Financial Administrator: Wayne Provençal
Assistant Financial Administrator: Lorna Gawlinski
Human Resources Coordinator: John Bergin
Director of Communications and Public Relations: Lorraine Turchansky