François de Laval
Francis-Xavier de Montmorency-Laval, commonly referred to as François de Laval (30 April 1623 – 6 May 1708), was a French prelate of the Catholic Church. Consecrated a bishop in 1658, he led the Apostolic Vicariate of New France from 1658 to 1674 and then became the first bishop of the Diocese of Quebec from its erection in 1674 until he retired because of poor health in 1688. He continued to work in New France until his death in 1708. Among his accomplishments was the founding of the Séminaire de Québec in 1663. Laval was a member of the Montmorency family, but renounced his rights as heir so he could pursue his ecclesiastical career.
Saint François de Laval | |
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| Bishop of Québec | |
| Diocese | Quebec |
| Appointed | 1 October 1674 |
| Term ended | 24 January |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1 May 1647 |
| Consecration | 8 December 1658 by
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| Personal details | |
| Born | François de Laval de Montmorency 30 April 1623 Montigny-sur-Avre, Perche, Kingdom of France |
| Died | 6 May 1708 (aged 85) Quebec, Viceroyalty of New France, French colonial empire |
| Buried | Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Parents | Hugues de Laval Michelle de Péricard |
| Previous post(s) |
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| Signature | |
| Coat of arms | |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 6 May |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Title as Saint | Bishop |
| Beatified | 22 June 1980 Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized | 3 April 2014 Apostolic Palace, Vatican City by Pope Francis |
| Attributes | Episcopal attire |
| Shrines | Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 22 June 1980 and Pope Francis declared him a saint on 3 April 2014.