Jean-François Jamot Explained

Jean-François Jamot
Bishop of Peterborough
Church:Catholic Church
Diocese:Diocese of Peterborough
Appointed:July 11, 1882
Term End:May 4, 1886 (his death)
Predecessor:Office established
Successor:Thomas Joseph Dowling
Other Post:Vicar Apostolic of Northern Canada (1874-1882)
Ordination:October 9, 1853
Ordained By:Bernard Buissas
Consecration:February 24, 1874
Consecrated By:John Joseph Lynch
Birth Date:23 June 1828
Birth Place:Châtelard, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Death Place:Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Jean-François Jamot (June 23, 1828  - May 4, 1886) was a French-born Canadian prelate of the Catholic Church. He was the first Bishop of Peterborough, serving from 1882 until his death in 1886.

Biography

Jamot was born on June 23, 1828, in Châtelard, Creuse, to Gilbert and Jeanne (née Cornabat) Jamot.[1] He graduated from the academy of Bourges in 1849 and then studied at the diocesan seminary in Limoges. He was ordained a priest on October 9, 1853.[2]

The following year, while teaching classics at the College D'Ajain, he met Bishop Armand-François-Marie de Charbonnel of the Diocese of Toronto and volunteered to work as a missionary in Canada.[1] He then studied at All Hallows College in Dublin for a few months to learn English before arriving in Toronto in May 1855. He was sent to Barrie, where he remained as pastor for eight years. While there, he was also appointed chancellor and vicar-general of the Diocese of Toronto in 1860.[3] Three years later, he was made rector of St. Michael's Cathedral. He accompanied Bishop John Joseph Lynch to the First Vatican Council (1869-1870).[1]

On February 3, 1874, Jamot was appointed the first Vicar Apostolic of Northern Canada and titular bishop of Sarepta by Pope Pius IX.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on the following February 24 while in Issoudun from Archbishop Lynch of Toronto, with Bishop de Charbonnel and Bishop Thomas de Ladoue of Nevers serving as co-consecrators.[2]

The vicariate then included the districts of Muskoka, Parry Sound, Nipissing, Algoma, and Thunder Bay.[3] Jamot originally established his residence at Sault Ste. Marie but later moved it to Bracebridge. On July 11, 1882, Pope Leo XIII elevated the vicariate to the Diocese of Peterborough, adding four counties from the Diocese of Kingston, and named Jamot as its first bishop.[2]

Jamot died in Peterborough on May 4, 1886, at age 57.

Notes and References

  1. Encyclopedia: JAMOT, JEAN-FRANÇOIS. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. 1982. Stillar. Alan. University of Toronto/Université Laval.
  2. Web site: Bishop Jean-François Jamot. Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  3. Encyclopedia: Diocese of Peterborough. The Catholic Encyclopedia. 1911. O'Connor. Richard. New York. Robert Appleton Company.