Fonds ARCAE-75 - Archbishop Collins Fonds

Archbishop Collins was born January 16, 1947, in Guelph, Ontario. He received a Bachelor of Arts from St. Jerome's College, University of Waterloo in 1968. In 1976, he received a Bachelor of Theology from St. Peter's Seminary and a Master of Arts from the University of Western Ontario. Shortly after on May 5, 1973 he was ordained to the Priesthood at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Hamilton, Ontario, by Most Reverend Paul Reding.

After serving at a parish in Hamilton for two years, and also as High School chaplain, he studied Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, where he received a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture in 1978. In the same year he began teaching scripture at St. Peter's Seminary, in London, Ontario, where he was also a spiritual director. Archbishop Collins also served as Rector of St. Peter's Seminary from 1995-1997.

In 1986, he completed a Doctorate in Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, with a dissertation on the book of Revelation.

On Mary 25, 1997 he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of St. Paul, Alberta, and was ordained to the Episcopate at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Hamilton, Ontario, by Most Reverend Anthony Tonnos. He was installed as Bishop of the Diocese of St. Paul on June 30, 1997. Two years later on February 18, 1999, he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Edmonton, and succeeded Archbishop Joseph MacNeil of Edmonton on June 7, 1999. His installation took place on September 13, 1999. Between March 26, 2001 and November 9, 2001 he served as Apostolic Administrator of Saint Paul, Alberta.

During his time as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Edmonton, Archbishop Collins served on numerous councils, committees, and commissions including the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (1999-2007) and was chairman of the following: National Theology Commission (1999-2001) and National Commission of Christian Unity (2001-2003). He was a member of the Organizing Committee of Worth Youth Day in Toronto (2002), and was elected by the Canadian Bishops as a delegate to the Synod on the Eucharist in 2005. Archbishop Collins also served on the Newman Theological College Board of Governors (1999-2007), the St. Joseph’s College Board of Governors, University of Alberta (1999-2007), the Board of Directors, Caritas Health Group (1999-2007), and as Member of Board of Directors, Alberta Catholic Health Corporation (1997-2007).

After a decade serving the Roman Catholic Community in Alberta, Archbishop Collins was appointed to the Archdiocese of Toronto, and installed as Archbishop on January 30, 2007. On February 18, 2012 he was elevated to the College of Cardinals.

For additional information please visit the following websites: http://www.archtoronto.org/about_us/archbishop_collins.html and http://www.caedm.ca/AboutUs/OurBishops/ThomasCardinalCollins.aspx.