By Rosalind Russell – His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, announced this morning the appointment of Reverend Roch Martin, a priest of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, as the next Bishop of Timmins.
He succeeds Bishop Serge Poitras, who has led the diocese since 2012.
Bishop‑elect Roch Martin will become the 8th bishop of the Diocese of Timmins, which serves a large territory in northeastern Ontario.
Bishop‑elect Martin was born on September 26, 1964, in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario.
After completing his secondary education at Franco-Cité High School in Sturgeon Falls (1978-1983), he pursued university studies at Laurentian University in Sudbury (1983-1986), followed by seminary formation at Saint Paul University in Ottawa (1986-1988).
Before completing his seminary formation, he was a teacher in southwestern Ontario (1989-1993).
He was ordained to the diaconate on August 6, 1995, at St. Joseph Parish in Chelmsford by Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe.
His priestly ordination took place on November 10, 1995, at Sacré-Cœur Parish in Sturgeon Falls, again by Bishop Plouffe.
He served as Pastor in many parishes in the Greater Sudbury area (1995-2021).
He was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie on August 1, 2021.
The date of his episcopal ordination has not yet been set.
It will be announced once arrangements are finalized.
Bishop Poitras will remain in office until the new bishop takescanonical possession of the diocese.
The faithful are asked to keep Bishop‑elect Roch Martin in their prayers as he prepares to assume his new responsibilities.
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