Kenneth Thorson

Kenneth Reid Thorson, O.M.I. (born 19 September 1966) is a Canadian Roman Catholic prelate who has served as bishop of Prince Albert since 2026. He was appointed by Pope Leo XIV on 28 May 2026, and was ordained and installed on 22 August 2026, becoming the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Prince Albert.

Thorson entered the novitiate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Arnprior, Ontario, on 26 August 1992. He pursued philosophical and theological studies in Saskatoon, Edmonton, Rome, and Toronto. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan and a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University.

Thorson professed his first religious vows on 14 August 1993, and his perpetual vows on 19 August 1997. He was ordained a deacon on 14 June 1998, and a priest on 21 May 1999.

Priesthood Following his ordination to the priesthood, Thorson served at St. Patrick's Parish in Saskatoon from 1999 to 2003, initially as assistant pastor and subsequently as pastor. During this period he also served as chaplain at E.D. Feehan Catholic High School.

As provincial superior, Thorson was involved in the Oblates' response to their historical involvement in Canadian residential schools, including work concerning truth and reconciliation and the release of historical records. The Diocese of Prince Albert described this work as contributing to his commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada.

The ordination celebration included a Treaty 6 land acknowledgement and an Indigenous honour song. The Apostolic Letter appointing Thorson was read during the ceremony, after which he made the customary episcopal promises before receiving the insignia of his office, including the mitre, crozier, and episcopal ring.

Thorson's return to the Diocese of Prince Albert was described as a homecoming, owing to his family's move to Nipawin during his adolescence and his earlier period of seminary formation in the diocese. In his remarks following the ordination, he emphasized his intention to serve the people of the diocese and to walk with them as their bishop.