Oblate Father Kenneth Thorson has been chosen the next Bishop of the Prince Albert diocese.

Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop-elect Thorson as the new bishop on May 28. Thorson will take the reins from diocesan administrator Msgr. Maurice Fiolleau, who has been administrator since then-Bishop Stephen Hero’s move to become Archbishop of Edmonton earlier this year.

The 59-year-old Thorson is a native of Saskatoon, who in his teen years moved with his family to Nipawin, Sask., within the Prince Albert diocese. He entered the Oblate novitiate in 1992 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1999. He has served the Oblates at home and abroad, including two terms as Provincial Superior of OMI Lacombe from 2019-25.

“It is truly a blessing to be entrusted to serve as your bishop,” said Thorson in a statement to the people of the diocese on the diocesan website. “I am eager to meet you, to learn about your lives, your joys and struggles, and to walk with you as your brother in Christ. With an open heart, I come to Prince Albert ready to listen, to learn and to serve.”

The Diocese of Prince Albert has 79 parishes and missions. Its Catholic population of 32,000 is served by 34 diocesan priests, 5 priests in consecrated life, 11 permanent deacons, and 23 women in consecrated life.