The new diocese has been formed from a division of the Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa, according to a Vatican announcement.

Jean-Louis Giasson was born in Islet-sur-Mer, Quebec. In 1965, he was ordained to the priesthood after joining the Society of Foreign Missions.

He will be consecrated Dec. 12, at a celebration in Progreso, the largest city in the diocese.

The new prelate has been a missionary in Honduras since 1966, and has been the regional superior for the Society of Foreign Missions in Honduras since 2003.