By Nicholas Elbers and Paul Schratz, The B.C. Catholic
[Vancouver – Canadian Catholic News] – Archbishop Richard Smith’s May 23 installation Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver, B.C., was resplendent in pageantry, flawless in organization, and liturgically solemn, and with thunderous applause, the faithful who filled Holy Rosary Cathedral welcomed Vancouver’s new archbishop.
In addition to the overflow crowd that had to be accommodated in Rosary Hall next door, the livestreamed Mass was viewed by more than 7,000 people online.
Also attending were Canada’s Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, Cardinal Gerald Lacroix, the Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada and Calgary Bishop William McGrattan, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).
Canada’s Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic waits with Archbishop Smith and Vancouver’s priests for the the cathedral doors to open so Smith can take his “cathedra” (the bishop’s chair). (Nicholas Elbers Photo)
Many B.C. bishops, as well as bishops who previously served as priests in Vancouver, were in attendance, including Bishop Gary Franken of the Diocese of Saint Paul, Alberta; Bishop Gary Gordon of Victoria; Bishop Mark Hagemoen of Saskatoon; Bishop Stephen Jensen of Prince George; Bishop Joseph Nguyen of Kamloops; Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster; and Bishop Emeritus David Monroe of Kamloops.
The installation began with the archbishop standing outside the cathedral doors and knocking three times with a gavel, symbolizing Jesus’ words in Revelation 3:20, “I stand at the door and knock.”
Archbishop Richard Smith knocks on the door of Holy Rosary Cathedral before his installation Mass. The traditional gesture symbolizes his request to enter and take his cathedra, the seat that symbolizes the bishop’s authority. (Photo by Nicholas Elbers, The B.C. Catholic, CCN)
Archbishop J. Michael Miller opens the Holy Rosary Cathedral doors in response to Archbishop Richard Smith’s knocking. (Frederic Pecson photo)
During his welcoming remarks, Monsignor Gregory Smith, Vicar-General of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, told the congregation the evening would be defined by two words: “thank-you” to retiring Archbishop Miller and “welcome” to “our new chief shepherd” Archbishop Smith.
In his homily, Smith said he was struck by two things on his arrival in Vancouver: the traffic, and the monumental boundaries that define the city, from the ocean and the mountains, and the American border to the south.
Archbishop Smith receives his crosier from Canada’s Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic. (Nicholas Elbers photo)
“I look forward to learning how these confines have come to shape the culture of the peoples they circumscribe,” he said.
The archbishop said he can already see the spiritual world of Vancouver, without borders, that “exists in the very heart of this area.” Meditating on the multi-cultural reality of the city by quoting Peter in Acts 10, he said, “’God shows no partiality.’ The promise of salvation in Christ extends to all, without demarcation.”
The same universal mission of the Church that brought missionaries to British Columbia 200 years now compels the faithful to evangelize the city, he said. “We are blessed with the presence of peoples who represent a wide array of nations and cultures … we need simply to walk across the street, get on SkyTrain, or go to work to find ourselves in a vast missionary field.”
Smith praised the “extensive and varied programs of faith and formation, creative communications, and missionary outreach” in parishes, Catholic institutions, and lay associations in Vancouver.
“There is a wonderful dynamism here, an enthusiasm for the Gospel, and I am eager to collaborate with all of you,” he said.
“Our world needs Jesus Christ!” said Smith. “So, like Saint Paul, ‘we do not lose heart’ but move forward in hope. The message we announce is “Jesus Christ as Lord”, risen and alive, whose light reveals the truth of God and ourselves, and whose mercy alone has the power to overcome all sin and transform the world in view of its salvation.”
Today’s greatest challenge is “getting through” to the hearts of the unconverted, he said. “Here is the lesson Jesus is teaching us: a message gets through when it answers directly and clearly to whatever need is prompting a search for resolution. We must understand the desires people have for the “safety, stability, and predictability” inaccessible in the modern world.”
Regarding the “many other anxieties and difficulties inhabiting the hearts of our contemporaries,” he said, “We must understand them well, so that, by God’s grace, the Gospel will ‘get through’ by our announcing Jesus Christ as the answer to the deepest questions of human existence.”
Anticipating the “many blessings the Lord has in store for us as we embrace together his call to evangelization,” he referenced Mary’s words to Elizabeth, praying “that the Lord, who is mighty, will do great things for his Church here in Vancouver, and throughout our country, as we pursue the mission to share with others the joy and hope that are ours in Christ Jesus, the Risen Lord.”
The defining moment of the evening came near the end of Smith’s final remarks in which he thanked everyone from high-ranking clergy, to friends and family who had travelled from afar, to cathedral staff and volunteers. Then, with a pause, he added a final word of thanks: “that I offer on behalf of us all, Archbishop Michael Miller …”
He never finished the sentence. The cathedral faithful erupted in sustained applause, rising to their feet in a spontaneous standing ovation that left Archbishop Miller gazing silently at the floor until the minute-long show of appreciation subsided.
As the congregation settled back into their pews, Smith continued, “I obviously don’t need to say anything more,” he quipped, “but I shall.”
Smith went on to say it quickly became clear to him “how immensely grateful are the people of this local church” for Archbishop Miller’s strong and wise leadership, “and in what high esteem you are held.”
Smith praised the retiring archbishop’s “exceptional generosity,” especially his decision to remain in office nearly four years past the usual retirement age at the request of Pope Francis.
Archbishop Smith closed by offering thanks for Archbishop Miller’s episcopal ministry, and prayed that he be blessed “with much consolation and peace as you enter a new stage of discipleship.”
Archbishop Smith and Archbishop Miller outside the cathedral after Mass. (Nicholas Elbers photo)
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