Decree closing the parish of Saint-Timothée in Shemogue

To all who will read these presents,
Grace and blessings in the Lord!
WHEREAS the Code of Canon Law gives the diocesan bishop the power to erect, suppress or modify parishes, after having heard the presbyteral council, in accordance with canon 515;
WHEREAS the parish of Saint-Timothée in Shemogue was canonically erected by His Excellency Bishop Edouard A. LeBlanc, then Bishop of Saint John, and this church caught fire and was completely destroyed on December 9, 2021,
WHEREAS since the fire at the church in Shemogue, the parishioners have been praying and celebrating Masses at the church of Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila in Cap-Pelé,
WHEREAS the salvation of souls must always be the supreme law to be observed, and having received the favourable opinion of the presbyteral council and having heard other diocesan services and members of the clergy,
THEREFORE, by virtue of my ordinary authority and in accordance with canon 515, I HEREBY DECREE that the parish of Saint-Timothée in Shemogue is suppressed. From now on, the former parishioners of the parish of Saint-Timothée in Shemogue are attached to the parish of Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila in Cap-Pelé. The boundaries of the parish of Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila in Cap-Pelé shall also extend to include the area within the boundaries of the former parish of Saint-Timothée in Shemogue. Persons who are domiciled within the territory of the suppressed parish shall, as of November 1, 2024, be parishioners of the church of Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila in Cap-Pelé.
I therefore strongly ENCOURAGE the reconstitution of parish bodies such as the Management Council, the Pastoral Council and others in order to include the former members of the parish of Saint-Timothée in Shemogue. Indeed, there are no longer two parishes but only one, the parish of Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila in Cap-Pelé, bringing together the parishioners of the parish of Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila in Cap-Pelé and those of the former parish of Saint-Timothée in Shemogue.
As for the property, in terms of the assets and liabilities of the suppressed parish, another decision will be made at a later date after all questions related to this matter have been assessed and studied, while respecting the law of the Church in this regard.
I am counting on you to ensure that the Christian community of Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila in Cap-Pelé, including the former parishioners of Saint-Timothée in Shemogue, remains a living community, full of cohesion, communion and collaboration, active within its surroundings and celebrating its faith.
This decree shall be brought to the attention of the parishioners of the parish of Sainte-Thérèse-d'Avila in Cap-Pelé, either by posting at the doors of the parish's place of worship or by reading it from the pulpit on the Sunday following its receipt, and shall come into force on November 1, 2024.
Given at Moncton on October 7, 2024.