Athabasca, Vicariate Apostolic or (North-west Territories).—Suffragan of Saint Boniface; erected 8 April, 1862, by Pius IX. Bounded on the north by the Vicariate of Mackenzie; on the east and southeast by the Vicariate of Saskatchewan; on the south by 55° N. lat.; on the west by the Rocky Mountains. The first vicar Apostolic was Bishop Henri Faraud, O.M.I., b. at Gigondas, France, 17 March, 1828; d. at Saint Boniface, 26 Sept., 1890; ordained priest at Saint Boniface, 8 March, 1847; elected 8 May, 1862; consecrated at Tours, France, 30 Nov., 1864, titular Bishop of Anamur. He was succeeded by Bishop Emile Grouard, O.M.I., titular Bishop of Ibora; b. at Brulon, Mans, 2 Feb., 1840; ordained priest at Boucherville, 3 May, 1862, elected Bishop of Ibora, 18 Oct., 1890; consecrated at Saint Boniface, 1 Aug., 1891, and appointed vicar Apostolic. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate serve all the missions of Athabasca. There are 11 stations, 23 priests, 28 Soeurs de la Providence, 6 Soeurs Grises. Catholics, about 5,000. (See Saint Boniface.)
Le Canada Ecclésiastique (1907); Battandier, Ann, pont. cath., 1907.
John J. A'Becket.