Bishop Albert Thévenot - Biography

I was born on the 6th of November 1945. I was told that it was during a snow storm. Born in Treherne, Manitoba but was raised & reared in the neighboring village of Somerset.

I found a noisy bunch upon my arrival home as the eleventh of 12 children. I grew up in a humble setting. My parents were special to me. My mother shared with me her strong faith and my father taught me to respect all people. Our home was always open to those around us. One more mouth did not seem to bother my parents, as we shared the little we had.

I attended Richard School until Grade 8 after which I entered to the Junior Seminary of St. Boniface with classes at St Boniface College for four years. In 1964, I entered the Missionaries of Africa known as the White Fathers. I traveled for the first time down east to Lennoxville to beginning my formation as a brother (Lay missionary). Two years of noviciate followed and then returned to St. Boniface College to finish my first degree. I prepared myself to be a teacher and went to Tanzania where Swahili is spoken. I taught for three years and enjoyed it very much. I returned to Canada to begin my pre-masters in Education but then decided to do my theological studies in London, England.

Since my experience in Africa, I always lived in an international community. Ordained as Priest on August 2 nd, 1980, I returned to Tanzania to do parish work. An appointment to Western Canada to do missionary and vocational awareness in 1986 kept me busy for 7 years. Soon after returning to Tanzania, I became part of the Regional team. The members of the 1998 General Chapter elected me to the General Council. I served the Society and the missions in this capacity for 6 year with our offices in Rome. I returned to Canada to work for the Propagation of the Faith for two years and then appointed as Provincial of our North American Province. I held this responsibility until my election as Bishop of Prince Albert.

Photos of Bishop Thévenot are available from:

Elcheshen Photo
135 Marion Street
Winnipeg, MB R2H 0T3
Telephone: 204-231-1234
Email: elcheshenphoto@mts.net