Father Paul Kavanagh, a member of the senior leadership team, has been elected Archdiocesan Administrator of the Archdiocese of Edmonton by the College of Consultors.
The announcement was made May 23, following a meeting of the College of Consultors, a group which assists the Archbishop in the governance of the Archdiocese according to canon law.
“Firstly, I give praise and thanks to God,” Father Kavanagh said. “I thank the College of Consultors from the Archdiocese of Edmonton for their trust and confidence in me. It is an honour to serve the lay faithful, the consecrated women and men, and the clergy of this vibrant local Church, and I do so humbly.
“On behalf of the Archdiocese, I offer our prayers and best wishes to Archbishop Richard Smith as he begins his episcopal ministry in the Archdiocese of Vancouver. Archbishop Smith witnesses the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith, calling us to live as disciples and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. Each of us responds to this call of discipleship every day.”
Archbishop Richard Smith has served as Archdiocesan Administrator since his appointment as Archbishop of Vancouver was announced on February 25 until his formal installation as Archbishop of Vancouver on May 23.
“Here in the Archdiocese of Edmonton, we pray for our new Archbishop as we await His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s appointment,” Father Kavanagh said.
“Embracing the Archdiocese’s pastoral priorities of Worship, Witness, and Service that came from our local Synodal listening, and with a particular focus during this Jubilee Year of Hope, may we continue to be pilgrims of Hope and may God continue to bless the good work we do together for the mission of the Church.”
Father Paul Kavanagh was born on Bell Island, Newfoundland and grew up in Sherwood Park, Alberta. He attended Elk Island Catholic Schools, graduating from Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School in 1991. He is the eldest of two sons.
Father Kavanagh earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Seminary of Christ the King in 1997. He then transferred to St. Joseph Seminary and Newman Theological College in Edmonton, where he received his Master of Divinity.
Father Kavanagh was ordained a priest on May 22, 2002. Since then, he has served as a pastor in several rural and urban parishes. In 2008 Fr. Kavanagh became the Director of the Office of Divine Worship for the Archdiocese. In August 2018, he was named Rector of St. Joseph’s Basilica. In September 2021, he became a full-time Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Senior Lead for the Mission Leadership Team.
Father Kavanagh will serve as Archdiocesan Administrator until the new Archbishop, appointed by Pope Leo XIV, takes possession of the Archdiocese. An Archdiocesan Administrator serves in a limited capacity:
- He cannot start new initiatives;
- He cannot establish or close a parish;
- He cannot appoint a pastor of a parish for one year;
- He cannot incardinate or excardinate priests into our Archdiocese who are leaving another diocese or religious institute.
Appointed roles under Archbishop Smith, such as Vicar-General and Episcopal Vicar, are now vacant. The only positions that will continue are those of Judicial Vicar and Chancellor, although the senior leadership of the Archdiocese will continue to meet regularly.
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