Canada's highest-ranking Catholic cardinal, who was been under fire in recent months for his views, has received a major promotion to Rome from the Vatican.

Marc Cardinal Ouellet, 66, was named chief of the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, which vets bishop appointments around the world. It is considered one of the Vatican's top three positions.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Ouellet, who is Archbishop of Quebec, said he was surprised when he received the call informing him of his new position.

"I welcome my appointment as prefect of the congregation for the bishops with gratitude, but also with a sense of fear in front of this huge responsibility," Ouellet said in English.

"I am glad to serve the Holy Father in this capacity, and in order to become more confident at the service of the bishops, I rely on the prayers of the faithful. Thank you for your support."

Ouellet, who was born in La Motte in Quebec's Abitibi region, succeeds Giovanni Cardinal Battista Re, who spent ten years in the position.

In May, Ouellet created a firestorm when he described abortion as a moral crime even when it's being performed on rape victims.

The comment was condemned by the Harper government, provincial politicians throughout Quebec and feminist groups.

Additionally, earlier this month, a Quebec victims' rights group said Ouellet refused to apologize for sex abuse committed within the Church.

Alexa Conradi of the Quebec Women's Federation said Ouellet's promotion is controversial because of his stands on a number of issues, including abortion.

"So while it's a personal honour for him, it's not necessarily a good sign for the progressive wing of the Catholic Church," Conradi told CTV News Channel moments after Ouellet's press conference.

"His voice is a conservative one and it will continue to give prominence and dominance to that particular perspective, which is not the only one that is defended within the Church itself," she added later.

But there are those who agree with his positions who are happy Ouellet got the call to go to Rome.

"He has the courage to stand up and speak the truth when it's necessary," Mary Ellen Douglas, national organizer for Campaign Life Coalition, a pro-life advocacy group, told the Canadian Press.

"The only regret is that if he's moved to Rome then he won't be at the disposal of the people in Canada, so it will be a loss for us."

In 2005, the National Catholic Reporter cited Ouellet on a list of about 20 candidates who could possibly replace the late John Paul II.

The new promotion could put Ouellet in line for the papacy.

"This is an extremely important position," Megan Williams, a freelancer who covers the Vatican, told News Channel. "Ninety-nine per cent of the handling of daily affairs for the Catholic Church is done by the Congregation of Bishops.

"He's going to be running the day-to-day business of the Church around the world."

But Ouellet himself dismissed that suggestion Wednesday, saying "I don't think that I will become the pope some day."

Ouellet's appointment came during a shuffle of senior Vatican posts. The Vatican also announced that Monsignor Rino Fisichella will head a new Vatican office charged with fighting secularization in the West.

Ouellet said the changes reflect the fact the church is in "a time of crisis, and so it's a time of decision: decision in favour of the gospel, in favour of Christ. A new decision."