Gérald Cyprien Lacroix was born on 27 July 1957 at Saint-Hilaire-de-Dorset, Quebec. At eight his family emigrated to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he attended Trinity High School and Saint Anselm College before returning to Quebec. In 1975 he joined the Pius X Secular Institute, making perpetual vows in 1982; he took his theology degrees at Université Laval. He travelled to Colombia as a missionary in 1980, served as the institute's secretary general, and was ordained a priest on 8 October 1988. From 1990 to 1998 he worked in the Archdiocese of Popayán, Colombia, as pastor and seminary professor, then returned to lead the Pius X Institute as director general for two terms.
He was appointed auxiliary bishop of Quebec on 7 April 2009 and Archbishop of Quebec — and so Primate of Canada — on 22 February 2011, succeeding Cardinal Marc Ouellet. Pope Francis created him a cardinal on 22 February 2014, and later appointed him to the Council of Cardinals. His motto is Nobiscum Domine — “Stay with us, Lord.”
Consequential Quotes
Well, our main role is to be pastors. We're not managers, we're not the boss: We're pastors, shepherds.
You surely know someone who recognizes that he or she meets the criteria in Quebec and (soon also) in Canada for ‘medical assistance in dying’. Be open with that person and listen to his or her suffering and fear. Tell them you recognize their great worth and that they can always count on your presence. Remind him or her of your unconditional love.
Whether we are Christians or not, an act of violence such as that experienced at the Great Mosque of Quebec touches us all. Hatred is the darkest expression of our humanity.
It has been a difficult journey, but the conclusions of Judge Denis’ investigation, the support of those around me, and the possibility of making myself heard that could result from the request for intervention lead me to calmly resume my ministry.
Major Works & Initiatives
Archbishop of Quebec
Primate of Canada, leading the country's oldest diocese in a deeply secular society.
Missionary in Colombia
Eight years of parish and seminary work in Popayán.
Director General of the Pius X Secular Institute
Led the secular institute he had joined as a teenager.
Council of Cardinals (C9)
Named by Pope Francis on 7 March 2023 to the Council of Cardinals advising the Pope on the governance of the universal Church.
Controversies
The 2024 investigation
In 2024 an anonymous allegation of sexual abuse against Lacroix surfaced in a class action against the Quebec archdiocese. He voluntarily stepped back from ministry while a Vatican-ordered investigation, led by a retired Quebec judge, examined the claim; the investigator concluded the allegation was not substantiated and Lacroix returned to full ministry in July 2024.