Archbishop Luc Cyr

Pope Benedict has appointed Valleyfield, Quebec, Bishop Luc Cyr as the new archbishop of Sherbrooke, after accepting the resignation of Archbishop André Gaumond, who had reached 75.

Cyr has served in Valleyfield since 2001.

But he said he realized this new step is the will of God.

"When I was a priest I said 'yes,'" he said.

"This is another occasion to say yes, I'm coming to serve there."

Born in Saint-Jérôme in 1953, Cyr was ordained to the priesthood in 1980.

Gaumond served as president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2005 to 2007, and played an active role on many episcopal commissions.

He has been a bishop for 26 years, serving in Sherbrooke since 1995.