Michael Pearse Lacey

Michael Pearse Lacey, born on November twenty-sixth, nineteen sixteen, was a distinguished Canadian bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. He was recognized as one of the oldest bishops in the Catholic Church at the time of his passing, and notably, the oldest Canadian bishop.

Raised in the Greater Toronto Area, Lacey's educational journey began at St. Helen's Separate School, followed by St. Michael's College. In nineteen thirty-six, at the age of nineteen, he entered St. Augustine's Seminary, where he prepared for his future vocation. He was ordained a priest on May twenty-third, nineteen forty-three, in St. Michael's Cathedral by Archbishop James C. McGuigan.

Throughout his early ministry from nineteen forty-three to nineteen fifty-seven, Lacey served in various parishes, including St. Patrick's Parish in Port Colborne, and St. Cecilia's, St. Monica's, and St. Pius X Parishes in Toronto. His dedication to the Church led to his appointment as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto on May third, nineteen seventy-nine, with his consecration occurring on June twenty-first of the same year. He served in this capacity until his retirement on May thirty-first, nineteen ninety-three, while continuing as Titular Bishop of Diano until his death on April second, twenty fourteen.

A passionate advocate for Catholic education, Monsignor Lacey played a significant role as a Trustee of the Metropolitan Separate School Board. He was also instrumental in the establishment of St. Stephen's Downtown Chapel, which opened in nineteen seventy-seven to serve the business community.