Louis-Albert Vachon

Louis-Albert Vachon, CC OQ (February 4, 1912 – September 29, 2006) was a Canadian educator, cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, and Archbishop Emeritus of Quebec.

He became a cardinal on May 25, 1985.

Vachon was born and raised in Saint-Frédéric-de-Beauce, Quebec, one of a family of six. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Minor Seminary of Quebec in 1934 and studied theology at the Major Seminary of Quebec before being ordained by Jean-Marie-Rodrigue Cardinal Villeneuve on June 11, 1938. He then attended Université Laval, graduating in 1941 with a Ph.D. in philosophy. He taught philosophy at Université Laval from 1941 to 1947, then began studies at the Pontifical Athenaeum Angelicum in Rome, Italy, where he was awarded a doctorate degree in theology in 1949.

Father Vachon returned to Quebec in 1949 to take up the position of Professor of Theology, a position he held from 1949 to 1955. In that year he was nominated as Rector of the Grand Seminary of Quebec and vice-rector of the Université Laval. In 1958 he was appointed Domestic Prelate of His Holiness under Pope John XXIII, a title that gave Vachon the rank and style of monsignor.

In 1960 Vachon was asked to assume the position of rector of the University of Laval; he held this position until 1972. He served in various positions with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec until he was elected Titular Bishop of Mesarfelta and appointed Auxiliary of Quebec on April 4, 1977. He was consecrated on May 14 of that year in Quebec. Vachon was elected Bishop of Quebec on March 20, 1981, on the retirement of the previous bishop, Maurice Cardinal Roy, and created Cardinal Priest by Pope John Paul II in the consistory of May 25, 1985. He received the red biretta and the title of San Paolo della Croce a Corviale on that day.

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Vachon resigned the pastoral government of the Archdiocese and became Bishop Emeritus on March 17, 1990. Following his retirement, he lived in Quebec City and later in Beauport, Quebec. He died on September 29, 2006, in Quebec City.

He was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1969, and an Officer of the National Order of Quebec in 1985.