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The Diocese of Saint John, New Brunswick is the seventh oldest Roman Catholic Diocese (1842) in Canada. Led by the Most Rev. Christian Riesbeck, CC, thirteenth Bishop of Saint John, the Diocese serves over 88,000 Catholics dispersed over eight counties and three principal regions: Saint John, Fredericton, and Miramichi.
The diocese is served by 36 diocesan priests (18 of whom are retired), 5 priests from India, 4 priests from Nigeria, 2 priests from the Philippines, 3 deacons, and 45 religious women. There are also 6 retired diocesan and religious priests resident in the Diocese, as well as a Maronite priest, and a priest of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.
There are 27 parishes serving 64 churches, 2 Catholic schools, 1 retreat house (Villa Madonna Retreat House), and 1 Catholic university (St. Thomas University, Fredericton), as well as a Maronite parish.
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The Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Saint John
On a field of blue, a dove bearing an olive branch, a symbol of peace.
Atop the crest is a bishop’s broad green hat with a winding cord ending in six tassels, layered one on two on three. These six tassels indicate a diocese, overseen by a bishop. Also atop the crest is a bishop’s gold cross, crozier, and mitre.
Motto: Pax Vobis, ‘peace be with you’ (John 20:19). The choice of the emblem and motto of peace was made by Archbishop Walsh of Halifax in 1844, which responded well to diocesan concerns and aptly fit the character of Bishop Dollard, once described as an ‘Angel of Peace.’
