Most Reverend Stephen Hero was installed in St. Joseph Basilica in Alberta’s Capital City Edmonton as the 8th Archbishop of that Roman Catholic episcopal see. This occurred on Friday evening of the 23rd of January 2026. Winter temperatures were reaching -31 degrees C. that day, but faithful and guests made their way all the same to fill the grand cathedral to capacity and bask in the warmth of historic occasion.
Some twenty cardinals, archbishops and bishops were in attendance as well as a vast number of priests and deacons. The nave and the wings of the massive Church were filled to capacity with representatives from most parishes around the Archdiocese as well as guests and delegates. The clergy gathered at the entrance of the Church to process in before the beginning of the installation ceremonies and the Mass that was the first celebrated by the new Archbishop.
At the entrance, according to custom, the Archbishop-elect knocked three times on the closed Basilica doors. They were opened to him and he entered the church. He was immediately met by a group of representatives of local First Nations who had already performed a smudging ceremony and now proceeded, with drumming and speeches, to greet Archbishop Stephen and welcome him on their behalf to Treaty territory.
The long procession of concelebrating clergy made its way to the altar area and took their places in the choir area. The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, was at the throne. He asked that the decree of Pope Leo XIV be read in which Bishop Stephen, until then Bishop of Prince Albert in Saskatchewan, was appointed to serve as Archbishop of Edmonton for Roman Catholics. Then Stephen was led forward and seated in the Archbishops Throne behind the Altar and the Nuncio handed him his shepherd’s crosier. His Grace, Stephen spoke a few words of gratitude and the Eucharistic Mass began. The Nuncio and the former Archbishop of Edmonton, Most Rev. Richard Smith (now Archbishop of Vancouver) were the two main concelebrants at the Altar with Archbishop Hero.
The new Archbishop saved words of gratitude and acknowledgement for the and the service. After the Gospel reading (Luke 4:14-30), he chose to preach an actual homily that began with a message that he took from a homemade plaque that he had received as a parting gift from his previous dioceses. On that plaque were the words from the Prophet Jeremiah (29:11), “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord”. In his homily, he spoke about the close and familiar friendship that the Lord has with us and the constant care and guidance that he provides. He also mentioned the challenges that usually come with following Christ and that such hardships should not dissuade us as we maintain our trust and hope in the Lord.
The Mass, including the music and every aspect of organization, were exquisitely executed and that provided for a truly inspirational experience. Three hierarchs of the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolia in Canada represented the Ukrainian Catholic Church – Bishops David Motiuk of Edmonton, Michael Kwiatkowski of New Westminster and Michael Smolinski of Saskatoon. Several other Eastern Catholic clergy also participated.
Born in Quebec, Archbishop Hero moved to Edmonton at the age of 10. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Edmonton 29 June in the Jubilee Year 2000. He served as the Vocations Director of the Archdiocese while serving in various local parishes. He was appointed the Rector of the Saint Joseph Seminary in Edmonton until Pope Francis called him in March of 2021 to serve as the Bishop of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. On November 21st, 2025, the Vatican announced that Pope Leo had appointed Bishop Stephen to serve as the Archbishop in Edmonton.
The love of Christ that He continues to show to His Church through the ages was strongly sensed at this evening installation in this cold wintery day off of Jasper Avenue in the Western Canadian city of Edmonton. The spirit that filled the church and the beauty of the Liturgy and the excellence of the choirs that sang. The very presence of Christ in that church among His People renewed the confidence and joy and hope of all those gathered. The message that was delivered by the Apostolic Nuncio at the end, seemed to tie it all together. The representative of Pope Leo in Canada expressed the Holy Father’s gratitude that the Archbishop accepted the appointment and assured him of his prayer and ongoing support. He also thanked the former Archbishop, Richard Smith, who was present for his 18 years of dedicated service in that office. Brother bishops from around Canada were there to bless and offer their prayer for their brother as he began this shepherding ministry with is new flock. It all incorporated concepts that harkened back to Acts of the Apostles or an account of the Earliest years of the Church. The Church of Christ was and will always continue to be alive and striving to fulfil that mandate of the Son of God Himself, to “go into the world and preach the Good News to all creation…. and they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the miracles that accompanied it. (Mark 16:15 ff)
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