Archbishop J. Michael Miller hopes the synodality he experienced in Rome can take root in the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Speaking at the 13th annual Archbishop’s Dinner on Nov. 20, the Archbishop shared his hope of bringing the synodality of the Church from the universal to the diocesan and parish levels.
“While there is no short definition of synodality,” said Archbishop Miller, “it calls for the people of God to be intentionally co-responsible for the Church’s life and mission, and to participate more widely and effectively in the decision-making and decision-taking processes at every level.”
“It also entails putting in place protocols for accountability and transparency in parishes, dioceses, and the universal Church.”
How will this affect the Archdiocese of Vancouver?
Local priests overwhelmingly support the synodal process and increased lay leadership, he said. Support will continue for parishes, associations, and communities through synodal teams led by former chancellor Barbara Dowding, he said.
“I have one concrete proposal to make,” the Archbishop said. “That all consultative bodies in our local Church give very serious consideration to planning an assembly to mark the 2oth anniversary [of the last Archdiocesan Synod].”
“I understand this comes as a surprise,” he said, “but it is a conviction about the future that has been slowly taking shape in my heart and soul.”
“This assembly would give concrete form to the strong belief that new ways of discussing and discerning what the Holy Spirit is asking of us are needed. The future of the Archdiocese must be discerned more intentionally, by everyone and together, to promote the Church’s mission of evangelization and ‘making disciples’ (Mt 28:19), especially among young people and the marginalized.”
He told the nearly 1,000 in attendance, “Like a father, I can’t help but feel so very blessed by you—the family that God … called me to serve.”
Thanking them for their support of Catholic education, he said proceeds from the dinner will fund the ongoing Catholic education of teachers and lay ministers serving Vancouver parishes and other outreach programs.
In his “State of the Union”-style address, the Archbishop offered a comprehensive overview of the Archdiocese’s activities, including truth and reconciliation and healing with Indigenous peoples.
The Easter Sunday Sacred Covenant signed between the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Nation (Kamloops First Nation), the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, and the Diocese of Kamloops was a focal point of the address.
The covenant, said the Archbishop, “forges a new relationship” between the signatories and “establishes a shared path to truth and reconciliation. It reflects a mutual conviction that honour, truth, justice, and healing are necessary to guide us together into the future.”
A copy of the document now hangs in the lobby of the John Paul II Pastoral Centre. It outlines “practical commitments, including memorializing residential school students, facilitating access to historical records, and retaining scientific expertise to support the Nation’s efforts to uncover truth and promote healing and reconciliation,” the Archbishop noted.
Additionally, the Archdiocese’s Indigenous Reconciliation Fund has awarded 24 grants totalling $1.25 million.
Breaking from his talk, the Archbishop briefly mentioned a topic on the mind of many—his eventual retirement. Having reached the usual bishops’ retirement age of 75 three years ago, he spoke of his intention to eventually return to Houston, where from 1979 to 1992 he taught and held several leadership roles at the University of St. Thomas, administered by his fellow Basilian Fathers. He returned to the university in 1997, serving as seventh president until he became a bishop in 2004. There has been no mention of when a new archbishop will be named.
The Archbishop also highlighted several developments across the Archdiocese in 2024:
• Priestly Formation: Six young men entered seminary, with four at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton and two at Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Vancouver. The total number of seminarians is now 20.
• Deacons: Six men were ordained to the diaconate in June. The Archdiocese now has 40 permanent deacons, with nine men in formation. A new cohort will begin next year.
• Mass Attendance: Post-COVID mass attendance has risen by 5 per cent compared to the previous year.
• New Catholics: A record 463 people were baptized, and 201 more were received into full communion with the Church.
• Marriage Formation: Over 520 couples participated in marriage preparation, and 100 couples are involved in the Witness to Love mentorship program. The Marriage and Family Office also launched Momentum, a faith community for Catholic single mothers.
• Evangelization Programs: The Rescue Project saw 860 participants from 37 parishes. Alpha was conducted in 45 different settings, including parishes, high schools, homes, online, and prisons.
• Education: The Archdiocese’s 52 Catholic schools have 16,000 students enrolled. PREP classes served 5,350 students last year, and Vanspec catechized 24 students with cognitive disabilities with the help of 53 volunteers.
• Construction: Projects are advancing at Holy Cross Regional Secondary School in Surrey, and John Paul Academy is set to move into a new building next year.
“The more I visit other dioceses and reflect on my recent experience at the Synod, the more I appreciate who you are,” said Archbishop Miller, “zealous priests and deacons, dedicated members of the consecrated life, and extraordinary laity so actively and selflessly engaged in your parishes and the wider community with the spirit of Christ.”
“It is a privilege and a grace to work together with so many committed people whose faith is alive and joyful.”
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