Pope Names Bishop of Diocese of Trois-Rivières, Canada

Bishop Martin Laliberté, P.M.E.

Diocese of Trois-Rivières

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Martin Laliberté, P.M.E., until now titular of Sertei and auxiliary of Québec, as bishop of the diocese of Trois-Rivières, Canada.

Martin Laliberté, pmé., is a member of the Society of Foreign Missions of the Province of Quebec (SMÉ). Since December 2019, he has been auxiliary bishop in Quebec. 
Bishop Laliberté was born in Charlesbourg, in the city of Quebec, on December 13, 1964. He holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and a diploma in pedagogy from Laval University (1983-1987). His formation is also enriched by a year of spiritual formation at the Manrèse Spirituality Center and a master’s degree in Mission Sciences at Saint Paul University. 

Missionary commitment is at the heart of Bishop Laliberté’s journey. Even before joining the SMÉ, he had already worked for two years in Corail in Haiti from 1987 to 1989 with the Secular Franciscan Order. 

Then, continuing his journey within the SMÉ, he worked as a missionary animator with young Quebecers (1990-1992). Ordained a priest on October 29, 1995, he was sent as a missionary to Brazil, within parishes in the Amazon. He worked there first in Manacapuru, then in Caapiranga. From 1998 to 2004, he was pastor of the parish of São Sebastião de Caapiranga, in addition to being superior of the missionary group of the SMÉ in Brazil. 


Upon his return to Canada in 2004, he was appointed director of his society’s International Missionary Training Center (ICMF). From 2008, he served on the Central Council of the SME, first as Vicar General, then as Superior General, from 2013 to 2019.

Bishop Laliberté speaks 5 languages: French, English, Portuguese, Spanish and Haitian Creole. 

On November 25, 2019, he was appointed titular bishop of Sertei and auxiliary in Quebec by Pope Francis and his episcopal ordination took place on December 29, 2019. He carried out this service in Quebec until his appointment as 10th bishop of Trois-Rivières, March 14, 2022, by His Holiness Pope Francis.