Roman Catholicism in Canada facts for kids

The Roman Catholic Church in Canada is a big part of the global Catholic Church. In 2008, it was the third largest religious group in Canada. More than 13 million Canadians, which was about 46% of the population, were baptized members of the Catholic Church. Being "baptized" means they officially joined the Church.

The Start of Catholicism in Canada

Catholicism first came to Canada in the 1600s. French settlers, who were Catholic, founded Quebec City during this time. In the 1620s, British Catholics were also allowed to settle on Newfoundland.

Early Religious Centers

A special school for training priests, called a seminary, was started in Quebec City in 1663. Later, in 1674, Pope Clement X created the first diocese in Quebec City. A diocese is like a church district managed by a bishop. This was the first diocese in all of North America, north of Mexico.

Growing Across Canada

This first diocese in Quebec City later became the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec in 1819. At first, it covered all of Canada. But as Canada grew, many other dioceses were created throughout the 1800s. This helped the Church reach more people across the country.

Images for kids

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  George III helped Catholicism in Canada in 1763.

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  A statue of Mary and the Christ child outside St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto.

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  Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa.

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  Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal) is one of Canada's largest Catholic churches.

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  The Pope has a representative in Canada called the Apostolic Nunciature to Canada (Ottawa).

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  The Diocese of Prince-Albert.

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  The Diocese of London.

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  The Archdiocese of Québec.

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  Sir Wilfrid Laurier, a former Prime Minister of Canada, was Catholic.

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  A portrait of Marie of the Incarnation.

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  Vasyl Velychkovsky.

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  Nykyta Budka.

See also

In Spanish: Iglesia católica en Canadá para niños