The Archdiocese of Montreal has announced that Fr. Francesco Giordano assumed the position of Chancellor as of November 20, 2020, under the authority of the Archbishop.

The Office of the Chancery is integral to the Archdiocese’s operation, providing expert counsel in questions of Canon Law, which is the law of the Catholic Church, and working closely with the Archbishop and the other services and offices within the Diocese to ensure the smooth functioning of its administration.

At the time of his appointment, Fr. Giordano held the positions of Vice Chancellor and Judicial Vicar of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Montreal. He has been serving in the latter capacity for the past two years and will continue to do so following his appointment to the Chancery. As Chancellor, he will be replacing Msgr François Sarrazin, who will retire after eight years at the helm of our Diocesan Chancery Office. We are grateful to Msgr Sarrazin, and we wish Fr. Francesco Giordano an auspicious beginning in his new mandate.

The Chancery Office team of the Archdiocese serves the Diocese of Montreal, responding to the needs of its Catholic communities in all matters canonical, archival, legal and administrative.

Following his ordination for the Archdiocese of Montreal in 2008, Fr. Francesco served for three years at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral and one year as pastor for the parish of Ste-Marguerite-Bourgeoys on Nuns’ Island. Between 2012 and 2015, he completed his Licentiate of Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Upon his return to Montreal, he was appointed Vice Chancellor, replacing Msgr Gilles Bissonnette in the fall of 2018 as Judicial Vicar and administrator of the Regional Ecclesiastical Tribunal.

‘‘I am deeply grateful for the training and preparation that I have received from my predecessors during these past years, and I am confident that the prayers of the faithful of our Diocese will assist me in my service as Chancellor – Avanti!’’

We wish Fr. Francesco Giordano great success in his new mission.