The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-07-29
F FIRsT BISHOP OF REGINA
MGR. MATTHEW OF QUEBEC AP-
POINTED TO THE NEW SEE.
Rector of Laval University for Ten
Years-A Scholarly Cultured
PreIate-Appointm Gives
Universal Satisfaction.

More that year ago, on the fourth
of March, 1910, the southern portion
of the Province of Saskatchewan in
western Canada was taken from the
Archdiocese of St. Boniface and
erected into separate jurisdiction,
with Regina, the capital of the Pro-
vince, as it's episcopal See. Since
then the priests and people of that
Diocese have been anxiously await
ing the appointment Of their first
Bishop. Since then, likewise, the Sc
lection of prelate to preside over
this new Diocese has been the sub
ject of long and careful consideration
on the part of the. Consistorial Con-
gregatiOn at Rome.
But now the suspense is ended.
The announcement made last week of
the appointment of Monsignor Oliver
Elzear Matthew, D. D., of Laval Uni
versity, Quebec, as the first Bishop of
Regina is hailed with delight not only
in, Western Canada but throughout the
Dominion. No better choice could
have been made; for all realize that
he is eminently qualified to cope with
the conditions that confront the
Church in this new Diocese and foster
suredly awaits it.
Mgr. Matthew is a native of the city
of Quebec where he was born De-
cember "a, 1853. He made his clas-
sical studies at the Little Seminary in
his native city and his theological
course at Laval University where he
was ordained to the Holy Priesthood
on June 2, 1878 At the opening of
the following scholastic year he was
appointed Professor of Philosophy in
his Alma Mater. In 1882 he went to
Rome and after winning his doctorate
in Philosophy and in Theology he re-
turned to Canada and resumed his
duties at the University. Since 1873,
therefore, he has been Professor of
Philosophy in that institution. For
eleven years prior to 1899 he was
Director of the Little Seminary, dur
ing the last six years of which he was
Prefect of Studies. In 1899 he was
dppOlALCu IlCSlOl SOl LdNdl OAlNSIS1LS
in succession to Mgr. La Flamme and
he retained that position until 1910.
In 1901 he was made Companion
of the Order of st. Michael and ST.
George by King Edward VII, and in
1902, Domestic Prelate by the Pope.
He is also a Chevalier of the Legion
of Honor of France and an Officer of
Public Instruction of the Province of
Quebec.
Gifted with more than ordinary
ability, endowed with piety as gen.
uine as it is unostentatious, in man.
ner and disposition gentle and unas-
suming, mild, yet firm in the enforce
ment of discipline, Mgr. Matthew is
regarded by all as one of the most
worthy and devoted prelates in the
Canadian Church He will, un.
doubtedly, prove tower of strength
to the Church in Western Canada
where she is confronted with the diff
ficult task of fusing into homo
geneons Catholic population the
streams of immigrants of divers
tongues and customs that meet and
commingle on it's broad and fertile
prairies.
The Catholic Bulletin congratulates
Bishop-Elect Iathieu and wishes him
many years OIL episcopal ministration
as fruitful in good works for Holy
Mother Church as those of his sacerd-
otal career have been. Ad multos
amos.