This is in response to the March 15 letter from Jean Francois Pouliot (“All bishops have been Irish; what about the French?”), regarding the bishops of the Diocese of Portland. Bishop David Bacon (the state’s first bishop) was of English decent. Bishop Joseph Gerry was of English and German decent. We have had two French bishops, even though they were coadjutor bishops —Bishop Amadee Proulx and Bishop Michael Cote. Both were fine men and did a lot for our diocese.

Selecting a bishop is not something that happens on the diocesan level. Perhaps Pouliot should contact Pope Francis about this matter.

Rose A. Johnson

Augusta