Louis-François Richer Laflèche
Louis-François Richer Laflèche | |
---|---|
Bishop of Trois Rivières | |
Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, Lower Canada | |
Died | July 14, 1898 Trois-Rivières, Quebec | (aged 79)
Louis-François Laflèche (September 4, 1818 – July 14, 1898) was a
Early life and career
Laflèche was born on September 4, 1818, in the village of
Laflèche studied at the Nicolet Seminary College in Nicolet, Quebec from 1831 to 1839. Following his education, he taught classics and science while continuing courses in theology. He was ordained a priest on January 7, 1844.[1]
In 1844, he headed a
In 1845, Chief Factor Roderick McKenzie wrote to Bishop Joseph-Norbert Provencher, of the Diocese of the North West, to request the establishment of a mission at Île-à-la-Crosse.[3] In 1846, Oblate priest Alexandre-Antonin Taché and Laflèche founded the mission of Saint-Jean-Baptiste at Île-à-la-Crosse. The mission served as a base for Taché's extensive missionary travels to Green Lake, Reindeer Lake, Portage La Loche, and Fort Chipewyan.[4] In 1849, Provencher recalled to Laflèche to Saint Boniface, intending to make him his coadjutor. Laflèche declined the position, arguing ill-health. Provencher then chose Taché.[2] While the now auxiliary Bishop Taché continued his missionary work, Laflèche served as vicar general of the diocese and administrator during Bishop Provencher's absences.
In 1851 he accompanied the
When he returned to Canada in 1856, he taught mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy at the Nicolet Seminary College. He was appointed president of the college in 1859.
Diocese of Trois-Rivières
In 1866, Bishop
Laflèche authored five volumes of
Influence on politics
As bishop of Trois-Rivières, Laflèche gave weekly sermons at the
Laflèche used his religious authority to help the Conservative Party of Quebec. He is associated with the phrase "L'enfer est rouge et le ciel est bleu" (Hell is red and heaven is blue).[7] Blue is the color of the Conservatives and red, that of the Liberals. Laflèche's influence was especially strong in the 1890 provincial election. All the Conservative candidates were elected in the Mauricie area even though most of them were overwhelmingly defeated across the province.
Death
He died on July 12, 1898, at 79 years of age. He had been a priest for 54 years and a bishop for 31 years.
Honor
The following sites and landmarks were named to honor Laflèche:
- In the Mauricie, Quebec area:
- Avenue Laflèche, located in Shawinigan, Mauricie;
- Trois-Rivières;
- Rue Laflèche, in La Tuque;
- Rue Laflèche, in Louiseville;
- Rue Laflèche, in Saint-Paulin;
- In the Greater Quebec City area:
- Rue Laflèche, in Beauport, Greater Quebec City Area;
- Rue Laflèche, in L'Ancienne-Lorette;
- Rue Monseigneur-Laflèche, in Sainte-Foy;
- Elsewhere in Quebec:
- Rue Laflèche, in Montreal;
- Rue Monseigneur-Laflèche, in Boucherville, Montérégie.
Also, the former federal electoral district of Saint-Maurice—Laflèche and the village of Lafleche, Saskatchewan were named in his honour.
References
- ^ a b c Voisine, Nive. "Laflèche, Louis-François", Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 12, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003
- ^ a b "Religious History of St. John Baptiste Parish". Retrieved 2013-10-04.
- )
- )
- ^ "The Battle at the Grand Coteau: July 13 and 14, 1851". Manitoba Historical Society by William Morton. Retrieved 2013-10-04.
- ^ "Battle of Grand Coteau: Letter by Father Lafleche". Published by Lawrence J. Barkwell. Retrieved 2013-10-04.
- ISBN 978-1-55013-576-3.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Louis-François Richer Laflèche". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.