“It’s been the great blessing of my life to be able to exercise the priestly ministry as a bishop and to be able to do so with you,” Archbishop J. Michael Miller told hundreds of Catholics at a dinner celebrating his priesthood and his time as Archbishop of Vancouver.
The April 29 event, held at the Italian Cultural Centre, marked the upcoming 50th anniversary of Archbishop Miller’s ordination on June 29 and honoured his nearly 18-year legacy leading the Archdiocese.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” were the words on numerous lips, and local pro-life veteran John Hof told The B.C. Catholic he didn’t need to think very hard before writing them in the guestbook.
“[Archbishop Miller] was an inspiration who had absolute love, and total support, for the pro-life cause,” he said. “He was 100 per cent supportive and always showed up.”
Thomas Cooper, president and founder of City in Focus and a recipient last year of the Benemerenti papal medal for service to the Church, said Archbishop Miller is everything a bishop should be: humble, firm, and trustworthy.
“He is the senior statesman, but he never flexes his position. In every area he is gentle and kind and accessible — and he is a pastor still,” Cooper told The B.C. Catholic.
“Everything he has turned his hand to he has made better, and deeper,” said Cooper. “And he has done it with a humble spirit — firm only when he needs to be, to protect the Church — trustworthy with all that he hears. He is a tremendous gift to the Archdiocese and it’s in much better shape than when he came, which is a testament to him.”
During the post-dinner video tributes, bishops and ministry leaders from across B.C. and Canada praised Archbishop Miller’s work ethic, generosity, and competence.
In a moment of lighthearted, retrospective fun, emcee Clay Imoo faced off with Archbishop Miller in a tie-breaker, winner-take-all, final stone-faced, no-laughing-allowed dad joke competition. At previous events, the pair had picked up one win apiece, but this time Archbishop Miller triumphed, securing his place forever as Vancouver’s episcopal king of the stony-faced dad joke.
In a heartfelt speech, Archbishop Miller told the gathering that serving as Archbishop of Vancouver was one of his life’s great honours.
“Over the years I haven’t lost my sense of how blessed I am to be among you for so many years. You have done so much, and do so much … that we as a people should give the Lord thanks for,” he said.
Among the many blessings he noted during his years as Archbishop were the ordination of 70 permanent deacons, the founding of the Neocatechumenal Seminary Redemptoris Mater, which turns 10 this year; and the construction of numerous schools, churches, and shrines across the Archdiocese.
He also spoke of the Archdiocese’s progress in addressing the sexual abuse crisis, expressing confidence that in the future, abuse will be nearly impossible in Vancouver.
Archbishop Miller also highlighted the Sacred Covenant signed last year between the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Kamloops First Nation as one of many “significant steps” taken by the Church toward reconciliation with Indigenous communities. The faithful played a large role in making that possible. “You are all part of that,” he said.
More than anything, he said, he is grateful for and inspired by the evangelization and outreach that flourishes within the Archdiocese. Vancouver Catholics, he said, have embraced the call of recent Popes, especially Pope Francis, to “get out of the sacristy and proclaim the good news to those around us.”
Reflecting on the role of evangelization in the record number of people who entered the Church this Easter, the Archbishop said, “Dear friends, you have been exemplary … There is an enthusiasm for the Gospel and a desire to live intimately with the Lord [in Vancouver] that certainly leaves an enormous impression on me.”
As a final reflection, the Archbishop said: “Vancouver — I never thought I would be here, folk. It was never in any plan — it was purely the work of divine providence. It’s been an enormous blessing for me. I am delighted to be able to share my 50th year with all of you.”
He ended with a few simple words: “God bless you — thank you for being such a wonderful group of people,” then left the stage to a standing ovation.
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