Benjamin Pâquet
Benjamin Pâquet (or Paquet, pronounced ; March 27, 1832 – February 25, 1900) was a French-Canadian Roman Catholic priest and educator. He was an influential and controversial figure in 19th century Quebec religious politics, making numerous enemies amongst the French-Canadian ultra-montane elite of the period. Three times his name was cited for potential bishopry, but each time his opponents successfully lobbied against his nomination or the decision makers settled on a less controversial choice. Biography Pâquet was born in 1832 in Saint-Nicolas, near Lévis, then Lotbinière County, on the southern shore of the Saint Lawrence River opposite Québec City. The son of farmers Étienne Pâquet and Ursule Lambert, he was descended from an old, pious family of the area, and was closely related to theologian Louis-Adolphe Pâquet as well as to provincial MLA Étienne-Théodore Pâquet (both nephews). His higher studies, as well as those of his younger brother Louis-Honoré, were financed by his uncle of the same name, a wealthy merchant. Benjamin entered the Petit Séminaire de Québec in 1845. Theological studies and teaching In 1849, when returning home from a pilgrimage at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, he was prompted by his mother to become a priest. His studies completed, he immediately enrolled