“Joseph-Octave Plessis: A Cornerstone of the Catholic Church Annette Gagliano in Canada During the First Quarter of the Nineteenth Century” Joseph-Octave Plessis: A Cornerstone of the Catholic Church in Canada During the First Quarter of the Nineteenth Century Annette Gagliano Introduction Many Catholics in Canada may take for granted that the Church is firmly established in this country, but there was a time in the late 18th and early 19th centuries when British colonial powers vehemently objected to its existence in both Upper and Lower Canada. After the Seven Years’ War concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the Catholic Church in Canada was in an uncertain state since Anglicanism was encouraged now that the British had authority over Canada as outlined by the treaty.1 The person responsible for making the single greatest contribution to the Roman Catholic Church in Canada throughout the first quarter of the 19th century was Joseph- Octave Plessis. If it were not for his efforts in advancing the Roman Catholic Church in Canada during the time when the Anglican Church dominated, the existence of Catholicism as the largest religious group in Canada today would probably be uncertain.2 Joseph-Octave Plessis, the fifth “Superintendant of the Romish Church” was born in Montreal on March 3, 1763, approximately three weeks after the British invaded New France, and he died on December 4, 1825 in Quebec City, three months shy of his sixty-third birthday.3;4 Plessis was an ambitious realist who was known for his remarkable memory and excellent judgement in matters related to business and the Church.5;6 Second to the Church, Plessis loved Canada, and as he served God, he worked towards shaping the future of his home and native land.7 Plessis was a determined and Saeculum Volume 5, issue 2. 25 “Joseph-Octave Plessis: A Cornerstone of the Catholic Church Annette Gagliano in Canada During the First Quarter of the Nineteenth Century” dedicated servant of the Church, who made it his goal to reinforce the existence of the Catholic Church in Canada. Historian John Moir describes Joseph-Octave Plessis as “the most important and powerful figure in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Canada during the century from the Conquest to Confederation.”8 This paper will analyze significant achievements in the life of Joseph-Octave Plessis to attest Moir’s statement. Plessis’ leadership in his early religious life, from his achievements as a student to his work as coadjutor to Bishop Denaut, will be examined first, followed by an assessment of his accomplishments as “Superintendant of the Romish Church”, paying particular attention to his ability to cooperate with the British while resisting their attempts to end Catholicism in Canada. The paper will conclude with an evaluation of Plessis’ achievements as a legally recognized Bishop of Quebec and his success in dividing his diocese into smaller districts. Successes in Early Life, 1763 – 1806 Joseph-Octave Plessis was a model student, and he always excelled in his studies. In the autumn of 1778, Plessis completed his studies at the Petit Séminaire de Québec, and in October 1778 due to his extraordinary intellect and outstanding leadership skills, he was received into the Congrégation de la Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie-Immaculée.9 In April, 1780, in recognition of his leadership and academic achievements, he was selected as prefect, the highest title that a student could receive.10 At the age of seventeen, Plessis felt he was being called to the Priesthood, and in 1786 he was ordained, thus marking the beginning of Plessis’ work in the church.11;12 Saeculum Volume 5, issue 2. 26 “Joseph-Octave Plessis: A Cornerstone of the Catholic Church Annette Gagliano in Canada During the First Quarter of the Nineteenth Century” Plessis had been teaching classes of Rhetoric and Belles-Lettres at a college in Montreal for three years when he was called by Bishop Jean-Olivier Briand in October 1783 to become Secretary of the Diocese.13 This position was given to the most promising priests as it provided essential preparation in diocesan administration.14 Plessis accepted the offer, and he would serve as Secretary not only to Briand, but also to the Bishop’s successors, Louis Philippe Mariauchau d’Esgly and Jean-François Hubert.15 On May 31, 1792, Bishop Hubert appointed Plessis as the Curé of Notre-Dame Parish, permitting Plessis to continue his position as Secretary.16 Despite his young age, the Bishop found Plessis to be so invaluable that he provided his Secretary with an assistant.17 Reportedly, Joseph-Octave Plessis worked tirelessly throughout his career: he woke up at four in the morning, and rarely went to bed before midnight.18 Plessis’ dedication paid off. He acted as Bishop Hubert’s spokesperson, and he succeeded in developing mutual relationships with high-ranking leaders, including the Anglican Bishop Jacob Mountain, Solicitor General Jonathan Sewell, Lieutenant- governor Robert Shore Milnes, and Attorney General Herman Witsius Ryland.19 Given his privileged position, Joseph-Octave Plessis was able to act as a mediator between the British Crown that demanded loyalty from its Canadian subjects, and the middle-class workers in Canada who resisted the British.20 These affiliations were valuable for Plessis on several occasions. On September 6, 1797, just two days after Denaut began his tenure as Bishop, Plessis was chosen as his coadjutor.21 Although Canadian Catholics eagerly supported the Bishop’s selection, Joseph-Octave Plessis declined the request. Yet, after having heard that the Duke of Kent was hoping for the nomination of a timid coadjutor, Saeculum Volume 5, issue 2. 27 “Joseph-Octave Plessis: A Cornerstone of the Catholic Church Annette Gagliano in Canada During the First Quarter of the Nineteenth Century” incapable of supporting the Church, Plessis quickly accepted Denaut’s offer, feeling that it was his obligation to sustain the Roman Catholic Church in Canada.22 According to historian L’Abbé Ferland, Plessis had been set to become coadjutor “by providence.”23 Although Pope Pius VII sent the proper bulls as quickly as he could, it was not until January 21, 1801 that Denaut consecrated Plessis as his successor due to the onset of the French Revolution, and the untimely death of Pope Pius VI in August, 1799.24;25 Nonetheless, the consecration of the almost thirty-eight year old Plessis proved to be a wise decision for strengthening the Catholic Church in Canada. In early 1805, Denaut and Plessis learned about a British plan led by Bishop Mountain with the support of Milnes and Sewell, in which the British government would give the Roman Catholic Church in Canada legal status and increase the Bishop’s income, in return for placing the Church under their executive control.26 Thus, the Catholic Bishop would be validly recognized as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church rather than just Superintendant, but the British would have full power over the appointment of priests and other church issues. The British proposition was not without its ulterior motives; they were searching for ways to control the Roman Catholic Church in Canada. In particular, the British did not like that in Canada the Roman Catholic Church was able to appoint its own priests, and manage church affairs independent of the British Crown.27 Moreover, as noted by John Moir, the benefits of legally validating the Roman Catholic Church under British executive control were superficial, since King George’s coronation oath had promised not to legalize the Roman Catholic Church in Canada, but to expand Protestantism.28 Saeculum Volume 5, issue 2. 28 “Joseph-Octave Plessis: A Cornerstone of the Catholic Church Annette Gagliano in Canada During the First Quarter of the Nineteenth Century” It troubled Plessis that the Anglican Church was legally recognized in Canada, but the Roman Catholic Church was not. He actively communicated his views in order to amend the plan led by Bishop Mountain, although Denaut refused to participate in discussions.29 Moreover, being left with the Anglican Church as the sole established church in Canada worried Plessis.30 In April and May of 1805, Sewell and Plessis discussed the issue, with the primary debate focusing on the formation of future parishes.31 Plessis sent out petitions to the king and governor against the plan, although Denaut believed that the outcome would be unfavourable to the Church.32 On June 4, 1895, Denaut wrote a letter expressing his views on the topic: “I would prefer my precarious state as it is now than to accept the solid establishment [of the Catholic Church] that is being offered to me.”33 The letter failed to convince the British. Nonetheless, in 1805 on the return of Milnes to London, the plan rested at a stand-still, as there were no further pressures from the British urging Catholics to accept the plan.34 Thus, Plessis’ ability to negotiate and to see the larger picture with regard to the status of Catholicism in Canada were displayed from the time he began his education to when he became the coadjutor of Bishop Denaut. Nevertheless, this was only the beginning of Plessis’ adventure. As his position rose in the hierarchy, there would be many more endeavours that Plessis would embark on in order to assist the Catholic Church in Canada. Accomplishments as “Superintendant of the Romish Church”, 1806 – 1817 Bishop Pierre Denaut passed away unexpectedly on January 17, 1806.35 Hence the perfect opportunity arose for the British to control episcopal succession of the Saeculum Volume 5, issue 2. 29 “Joseph-Octave Plessis: A Cornerstone of the Catholic Church Annette Gagliano in Canada During the First Quarter of the Nineteenth Century” Catholic Church in Canada.