Canadian bishops to grieving Nova Scotians: ‘We are in one heart’

OTTAWA—Canada’s bishops are rallying to comfort the people of Nova Scotia as they try to “heal the rupture within the hearts of a community” after 22 people were murdered in the largest mass killing in modern Canadian history.

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops president Richard Gagnon, Archbishop of Winnipeg, said the tragedy of the killings and “the horrendous murder of 22 innocent persons” has shocked all Canadians. 

In a letter dated April 29 from the CCCB to the Diocese of Halifax-Yarmouth in Nova Scotia, the archbishop wrote, “This act of violence and loss of lives has brought forth nation-wide sorrow and dismay.”

Archbishop Gagnon said, “This outpouring of grief and concern bears witness to a united effort to heal the rupture within the hearts of a community, and an entire province, in need of consolation and understanding during a period of tremendous grief.”

The CCCB offered spiritual support to the diocese as it tries to console the people of Nova Scotia and the victims of the killing rampage that started in rural Nova Scotia on Saturday, April 18, and continued until the killer was stopped on the outskirts of Halifax on Sunday, April 19.

“We unite with you in sharing the pain inflicted upon your communities of faith and are in fraternal communion with you in commending the victims to the Lord for their eternal rest,” Archbishop Gagnon said in the letter.

“We are one in heart as you address the spiritual and emotional wounds inflicted upon the families and communities which have been affected more closely by this horror,” he said.

Archbishop Gagnon said all of Canada’s bishops stand in solidarity with the people of Nova Scotia and the Church’s leaders in that province as they try to overcome the devastating impact of the killings.

“Know that we stand by your side as you lead, console and give hope in these most trying of times,” Archbishop Gagnon’s said.

“May the Lord of life and love bestow the necessary wisdom and courage to help you be healers and agents of renewal to those communities entrusted to your pastoral care.”

In a video message, Halifax-Yarmouth Archbishop Anthony Mancini offered the people of his grieving diocese his condolences, prayers, and assurances in the wake of the mass shooting.

“These last few days have been a shock, as we have all been affected by the useless and premature death of so many of our fellow citizens,” Archbishop Mancini said.

“Try as we will to understand this tragedy, it remains incomprehensible. We are experiencing a great sense of loss, frustration, and even anger,” he added. 

The archbishop earlier offered condolences to the families of those killed in the weekend rampage, particularly the family of RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson.

“Her death in the line of duty indicates the highest sacrifice that one can make on behalf of the citizens she served,” Archbishop Mancini said in an April 20 letter.

“Our prayers go out to all the members of her family, particularly her children, and to the fellow officers of her RCMP family, who mourn the loss of her life.”

Stevenson was the first victim of the weekend shooting identified by the RCMP. She was a 23-year veteran of policing with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the mother of two and wife of teacher Dean Stevenson.

In his letter, the archbishop sought to extend a word of hope to all Nova Scotians.

“Such a tragic event, involving the meaningless death of so many of our fellow citizens, has shocked us all,” he said. “Adding more collective suffering to an already tragic time in our province, our country and our personal lives.

“I offer my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of all the victims and pray that they find some consolation in the expressions of love and caring being shown them in their time of sadness and grief.”

Recalling that Easter is still upon us, Archbishop Mancini urged Nova Scotians to remember “that life carries on beyond death.”

Archbishop Mancini acknowledged that the existing circumstances related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made the grieving process more complicated.

“This loss of life comes upon us at a time when we are already weighed down by the threat of the coronavirus. In this time of mourning, we ought to be able to come together to experience the comfort of community care and its support. Yet here we are, in isolation in order to stay safe, making the present circumstances even more tragic,” he said. 

The archbishop encouraged people to use “technological means” to offer support to each other throughout the grieving process, and reminded Nova Scotians that “love is greater than tragedy and death.”

“I wish to extend to all the families and friends of those who have died our prayers and our expression of solidarity,” he said. “In this time, when we celebrate the resurrection, it is good to recall that death is not the last word.”

Archbishop Mancini also suggested that his flock pray for “the growing number of COVID-19 victims” and “for those on the front lines doing all they can to protect us--the doctors, the nurses, and of course, the police.”

With files from Brian Dryden of CCN and Catholic News Agency