The Jubilee Year of Hope has brought an additional reason for joy to Vancouver Catholics: the appointment of Archbishop-elect of Vancouver Richard Smith.
At a special Mass of Thanksgiving on March 2 at Holy Rosary Cathedral, Archbishop J. Michael Miller expressed his confidence that Archbishop Smith “will certainly bring many blessings during this Jubilee of Hope.”
The Mass drew a large congregation of clergy, religious, and lay faithful, all eager to give thanks for the new archbishop’s appointment.
Archbishop Miller expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for the appointment of Archbishop Smith, calling him “a zealous and gracious shepherd of souls.”
Many attendees expressed gratitude for his extensive pastoral experience and leadership. One Holy Rosary Cathedral parishioner told The B.C. Catholic he appreciates that nearly 60 per cent of Archbishop Smith’s ordained life has been spent in the episcopacy. “It is reassuring to know that he brings such a wealth of experience to his new role,” he said, adding that they look forward to his formal installation at the end of May.
Deacon Richard Chau, the archdiocese’s ecumenical and interfaith relations officer, highlighted Archbishop Smith’s commitment to dialogue with those of other faith. “All evidence I have seen shows Archbishop Smith cares deeply about interfaith and ecumenical issues,” Deacon Chau told The B.C. Catholic. “His leadership in this area will be important as we continue building strong relationships with other faith communities in Vancouver.”
During his homily, Archbishop Miller expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for the appointment, calling Archbishop Smith “a zealous and gracious shepherd of souls” who “will be a beacon of hope and guidance to our local Church.”
“The appointment of a new bishop is a cause for celebration,” Archbishop Miller said. “It reminds us of how the good Lord cares for his Church – and our local Church – down through the ages, as service to the unity of faith and its integral handing on.”
He emphasized the significance of apostolic succession, calling it one of the “great treasures of the Church” and “an essential element of the treasury of tradition.”
The role of a bishop, Archbishop Miller explained, is to be “the visible guarantor of the faithful transmission of the apostolic witness to the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.”
He reminded the congregation that “the assurance of continuity with our origins in Christ is thus given by living persons. One bishop always succeeds another in every diocese, giving us a faithful and unbroken handing on of the faith from the time of the apostles themselves.”
Meanwhile, Archbishop Smith continues to serve as administrator of the Archdiocese of Edmonton until a new archbishop is appointed. Once he formally assumes his role in Vancouver, the College of Consultors in Edmonton will meet to elect a diocesan administrator to oversee the Archdiocese until the Vatican appoints a new Archbishop. There is no set timeline for the appointment.
Before leaving Edmonton at the end of May, Archbishop Smith will preside over key events in Edmonton, including the rite of election at St. Joseph’s Basilica, two Confirmation Masses, the Chrism Mass, and a Mass and reception marking both the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, patron of the Archdiocese of Edmonton, and the 18th anniversary of Archbishop Smith’s installation as Archbishop of Edmonton in 2007.
In Vancouver, Archbishop Smith will formally assume his duties when he presents his letter of appointment from Pope Francis to the College of Consultors of Vancouver, followed by his installation Mass, scheduled for May 23.
Until a new archbishop is named, the Archdiocese of Edmonton is asking Catholics to pray for Pope Francis as he recovers and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in selecting the Archdiocese’s next shepherd.
How a Bishop is chosen
Who makes the decisions about who becomes a Bishop, and who serves in what Diocese?
The Apostolic Nuncio, or ambassador to Canada of the Holy See, is the Holy Father’s representative in each country. It is part of the Nuncio’s role to gather information about potential episcopal candidates; clergy and lay persons are consulted as part of the process.
Out of the dioceses in Canada, the Nuncio will gather the information about the priests recommended. It will be discerned which of those priests presented might be suitable candidates.
A bishop is not named according to seniority, popularity, or the role they have within the diocese, though serving in leadership roles might make them potential candidates to be considered for the episcopacy.
Most often they will be named from another diocese; and in a diocese the size of Edmonton, it is likely that they will already be a bishop from another diocese with some experience as a Bishop.
From the Archdiocese of Edmonton
This article was updated on March 10 to say Archbishop Smith’s installation Mass will be May 23.
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