Sacred Heart Cathedral Listed on Canadian Register of Historic Places

The Sacred Heart Cathedral, located in downtown Bathurst, has been listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places, a federal registry of sites that have contributed to communities. The bishop of Bathurst, New Brunswick, stated he is seeking discussions with the city’s mayor regarding the cathedral’s future, which is currently slated for demolition next spring. The diocese stated it could not afford to heat the 140-year-old stone structure and is closing it before winter. No final decision has been made about the building's future.

The listing acknowledges the building's historical contribution to the region. The bishop mentioned the possibility of transferring or selling former parish churches to municipalities or community organizations, though this was not confirmed for the cathedral. The status of the cathedral hinges on whether collaboration can prevent its loss.