The Catholic community in Edmonton welcomes a familiar face as its new spiritual leader following a significant announcement from the Vatican. Pope Leo appointed Bishop Stephen A. Hero as the Archbishop of Edmonton on November 21, 2025, marking a homecoming for the clergy member who spent decades serving in the city.
A Surprising Homecoming
Archbishop-designate Hero expressed genuine surprise at his selection during a media availability held on November 27, 2025. He revealed that bishops are rarely chosen from the local clergy unless a diocese is particularly large, making his appointment an unexpected development.
"I was surprised. Bishops don't go back to the place," Hero told reporters. "I wasn't really expecting it; I was looking at some of my other brothers around me or in Canada."
His initial shock eventually gave way to joy at the prospect of returning to familiar surroundings and being closer to family and longtime acquaintances. "I went through a whole range of emotions, I think. Surprise, and at a certain point, of course, joy to come home and be closer to my family and a lot of people that I spent the last 40 years with," he shared.
Deep Roots in Edmonton Community
The newly selected archbishop brings substantial local experience to his role. Hero first arrived in Edmonton as a ten-year-old, moving from Quebec, and considered the city his home until his appointment as Bishop of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
His religious formation included studying philosophy and discerning his vocation at Christ the King seminary in Mission, British Columbia. He continued his theological education at St. Joseph Seminary in north Edmonton, establishing strong connections with the local Catholic institutions he will now oversee.
Listening-Focused Leadership Approach
When asked about his vision for Edmonton's archdiocese, Archbishop-designate Hero emphasized a thoughtful, listening-based approach rather than arriving with a predetermined agenda.
"Edmonton is, I think, a very important archdiocese in the West," Hero noted, highlighting the significant Catholic institutions under his care, including the seminary, theological colleges, and Catholic school divisions.
"I'm here this week to meet with staff and the people involved in the clergy and in ministry. So I think the first thing I want to do is really listen well to people and to God and discern how we can continue to work on those good initiatives," he explained. "What are the needs, and how can we address those needs? I don't come with an agenda or specific plans. There'll be a lot of listening, for sure, at the beginning."
Lessons from Prince Albert Ministry
Hero's most recent posting as bishop in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, provided unique experiences that will inform his leadership in Edmonton. He described Prince Albert as "a city of prisons" due to its concentration of approximately seven correctional facilities, giving him extensive experience in ministry within correctional institutions.
This background in serving diverse community needs, including marginalized populations, will likely influence his approach to addressing the varied requirements of Edmonton's Catholic community as he assumes his new responsibilities leading one of Western Canada's most significant archdioceses.
