Robert Larivière, B.Th., J.C.L.

Mr. Robert Larivière was born on August 31, 1958, in Sudbury, Ontario.  He is fluently bilingual.  He is the father of four children and grandfather of three children.
 
In his teens, he worked at St. Jean de Brébeuf Parish in the Flour Mill and he was active in many youth ministries.  He completed his studies at Franco Jeunesse High School before attending St. Jean Vianney College in Montreal.  In 1979, Most Reverend Dionne, auxiliary Bishop of our diocese, sent him to study at the seminary in Ottawa.  During his studies, after much reflection, he left the seminary; however, he completed his studies and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Theology.  Desirous of serving the Church and having been tutored by Msgr Roch Pagé, P.H. and Rev. Francis Morrisey, O.M.I., he began his studies in Canon Law at Saint Paul University (SPU).  In 1984, he completed his Licentiate and Master's degree.
 
Mr. Larivière began his canonical career as a lay Chaplain for the Military Ordinariate of Canada (Navy).  He was Vice-Chancellor and Director of the Tribunal for marriage nullity cases.  Seven years later, he was invited to join the Canadian Appeal Tribunal as Defender of the Bond.  In 2008, he was appointed Ecclesiastical Judge. 
 
Mr. Larivière has been an active member of the Canadian Canon Law Society (CCLS) since 1984.  He served on countless committees.  He was a speaker at many of their annual conventions.  He was elected Secretary-Treasurer for a period of six years and he was President of the CCLS from 2012-2014.  He represented the CCLS in many countries.  He has cooperated in many ways with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.  In collaboration with the Faculty of Canon Law of SPU, he has given webinars regarding the marriage nullity process.  He has been a guest speaker in several Church communities in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario.
 
Most Reverend Marcel Damphousse called upon him to serve in his home diocese as Director of canonical and pastoral services.  He accepted and on November 1st, 2016, he was appointed to serve the Bishop and the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.