Bégin, Louis Nazaire

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BÉGIN, LOUIS NAZAIRE

Cardinal archbishop of Quebec, Canada; b. Lévis, Canada, Jan. 10, 1840; d. Quebec, July 18, 1925. He was the son of Charles and Luce (Paradis) Bégin. After attending the minor seminary of Quebec, he completed his studies in Europe, was ordained in Rome (1865), and received a doctorate in theology. Back in Quebec, he taught theology, held various offices at the seminary, and published several works that merited him entrance into the Royal Society of Canada. In 1888 he was appointed second bishop of Chicoutimi, where he built a bishop's palace. He was transferred to Quebec as coadjutor (1891) and became, successively, administrator (1894), archbishop (1898), and cardinal (1914). He founded 70 parishes, welcomed several religious communities to the archdiocese, and sanctioned ecclesiastical and charitable institutions, as well as the work of the newspaper L'Action Catholique and a famous diocesan temperance campaign. He reestablished the cathedral chapter of canons in 1915. The First Plenary Council of Canada took place (1909) during his reign.

Bibliography: l. a. paquet in The Royal Society of Canada, Proceedings (Ottawa 1926), eulogy.

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