François Thibodeau

François Thibodeau, born on July 27, 1939, in Saint-Odilon-de-Cranbourne, Quebec, was a distinguished Canadian Roman Catholic prelate and a member of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, commonly known as the Eudists. His journey in the clergy began with his ordination as a Catholic priest on May 8, 1965, by Bishop Joseph-Aurèle Plourde of Ottawa, after which he pursued further education, earning a bachelor's degree in social work from Laval University.

Thibodeau's commitment to social issues was evident during his tenure as the Director of Social Affairs for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec from 1971 to 1986. He later took on the role of editor-in-chief for Pastorale-Québec, the official publication of the Archdiocese, from 1986 until 1990, showcasing his dedication to both pastoral care and community engagement.

On October 20, 1993, he was appointed the fifth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Edmundston by Pope John Paul II, a position he held with grace until his retirement in 2009. His consecration took place on January 9, 1994, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Saint John, New Brunswick, marking a significant milestone in his ecclesiastical career.

Bishop Emeritus François Thibodeau passed away on June 26, 2023, at the age of eighty-three, at the Résidence Domaine Mahonia in Quebec City. His legacy continues to be honored, with his final resting place in the crypt of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.