As number of priests declines, Pope merges 2 Canadian dioceses (CCCB)

Pope Francis has merged the Archdiocese of Ottawa (Canada’s capital city) and the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall into the new Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. In 1970, 666 diocesan and religious priests served in the Ottawa archdiocese; in 1965, 75 priests served in Alexandria-Cornwall (then known as the Diocese of Alexandria). 249 priests will serve in the new Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall.