The Toronto-born, 69-year-old Brehl will assume the seat at the head of the Ontario diocese vacated by Bishop Guy Desrochers when he was named Archbishop of Moncton in July 2023.

Bishop-elect Brehl brings a wealth of leadership experience, much of it gleaned from his role as Redemptorist Superior General in Rome from 2009-22.

Brehl professed vows as a Redemptorist in 1976 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1980. He has served in various ministerial capacities since then in parishes in St. John’s, Toronto and Sudbury. He has also served as novice director and formation director for his order in Windsor, Ont., and Toronto respectively.

He has held numerous leadership roles with the Canadian Redemptorists, first as Provincial Superior of the Edmonton-Toronto Province before taking over his current position as Provincial Superior of the Canadian Redemptorist Province.

The Diocese of Pembroke is served by 65 diocesan and religious priests, 12 permanent deacons and one consecrated man along with 60 consecrated women. It has a Catholic population of more than 60,000 Catholics in 55 parishes and missions.

A date for his ordination as a bishop has yet to be determined.