The North has its challenges and struggles, but its people are a "tremendous pleasure,” says Whitehorse's outgoing Catholic bishop.

"I'm going to miss this place,” Gary Gordon, 57, said in an interview this morning.

He spoke to the Star just a little over 48 hours after learning he will be leaving Whitehorse in August, as he has been appointed the bishop for Victoria, B.C.

Gordon was surprised when the phone rang at 3 a.m. Saturday and he was informed of his new appointment.

As he explained, such appointments are announced from Rome at noon.

"My response was, ‘yes, of course,'” he said, noting he follows direction from the church and goes where he is instructed.

Gordon will succeed Richard Gagnon, who was installed as the archbishop of Winnipeg last January.

Before coming to Whitehorse in 2006, Gordon served a number of parishes throughout British Columbia, including Vancouver, Chilliwack and Mission.

He also served as the Pacific regional representative on the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, with the Interfaith Committee on Chaplaincy of the Correctional Service of Canada and was the CCCB principal liaison and spokesman on the Interfaith Committee from 2002 to 2006.

Since 2007, Gordon has been the CCCB Bishop ponens for Catholics involved in prison chaplaincy and pastoral services.

In addition, he has been chairman of the CCCB Standing Committee for Relations with Movements and Associations since 2011, after previously serving on the former Episcopal Commission for Relations with Associations of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Laity (2007-2008).

He has been a member of the Anglican/Roman Catholic Bishops' Dialogue since 2007, and has served as its co-chairman since 2009.

Looking back on his eight years in Whitehorse, Gordon said one of the biggest achievements is that services at churches in communities throughout the territory have continued at a time when churches are closing in other parts of the country.

"We're not closing,” he said, noting the "very vibrant” church life in Whitehorse.

Over the past school year, the local Catholic church has not been without controversy over the sexual orientation and gender identity policy at Catholic schools in Whitehorse.

Many of those graduating from Vanier Catholic Secondary School this year made a point of wearing rainbow socks to their cap and gown ceremony as a show of support for the school's gay-straight alliance organization.

Asked whether he thinks the issue for the Catholic schools has been resolved with the adoption of new policies, Gordon noted there is always work to do in any church in delivering the gospel and maintaining Catholic identity.

He said he believes the Catholic identity will continue to be maintained at Vanier, the city's only Catholic high school.

Looking ahead to his move to Victoria, Gordon said he won't know what to expect until he is installed into his new role in a couple of months.

He did point out though that the parish of Victoria has a long history and a vibrant community.

As for when a new bishop will be appointed to Whitehorse, he said he doesn't know, though it won't be six years, as it was prior to his appointment.

He noted that there is a selection process he and other bishops in western Canada have input on, though the decision is ultimately up to the Pope in Rome, as it was with his recently-announced appointment.