Newly appointed archbishop of Edmonton speaks on priorities ahead of January installment

Most Reverend Stephen A. Hero at a media conference on Nov. 27, 2025.

Most Reverend Stephen A. Hero says he plans to honour reconciliation efforts and reflect on Edmonton’s needs ahead of his installment as the city’s eighth bishop.

Archbishop-Designate Hero was the bishop of Prince Albert, Sask., before being announced as Most Reverend Richard Smith’s replacement in the Edmonton Archdiocese.

Raised in Edmonton from the age of 10, Archbishop-Designate Hero told media on Thursday he was not expecting the appointment.

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“It’s very hard to leave the good people of Prince Albert, and I’m very sad to leave them,” he said. “Even though it’s a joy to come home.”

He also commended Archbishop Smith’s leadership in the last 18 years, “especially with reconciliation.” Archbishop-Designate Hero said as bishop in Prince Albert he met with several Indigenous communities and is “anxious to move a little further west in Treaty No. 6 territory.”

“I’m definitely committed, as the whole church is committed to trying to work together and walk together in a healthier way in the future,” he added.

In terms of other specific goals, though, Archbishop-Designate Hero’s ears are open.

“I don’t think bishops arrive with an agenda,” he said. “I certainly don’t have an agenda in my pocket … I think the first thing I want to do is really listen well to people and to God and discern how we can continue to work on those good initiatives.”

He also noted Edmonton as an important and “impressive” Archdiocese in the west and his intentions to build on the work already being done in the community.

Archbishop-Designate Hero will be installed as the city’s eighth bishop on Jan. 23, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Basilica on Jasper Avenue.