Canadian Bishops thankful for Pope's "extraordinary leadership"
(Vatican Radio) Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton, president of the Canadian
Conference of Catholic Bishops, sent a letter of gratitude to Pope Benedict XVI, upon
the announcement of his resignation. In his letter, the Archbishop said, "We and the
faithful of Canada have grown to love and admire you, and so are marked today with
sadness at your impending departure from your role as Supreme Pontiff. At the same
time, we are full of gratitude to God for the wondrous blessings that have been ours
because of your extraordinary leadership."
The Archbishop also thanked
the Pope for “expressing the sorrow and regret of the Church for past errors toward
the Indigenous People in Canada, while opening the way to a new future with the canonization
of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha”.
The full text of the letter follows:
Most
Holy Father,
The Bishops of Canada received this morning the news of your intention
to resign the ministry of Bishop of Rome. We and the faithful of Canada have grown
to love and admire you, and so are marked today with sadness at your impending departure
from your role as Supreme Pontiff. At the same time, we are full of gratitude to God
for the wondrous blessings that have been ours because of your extraordinary leadership.
With admiration we acknowledge the courageous witness of life and marvellous clarity
of thought that have marked your many dedicated years of service as priest and Bishop,
teacher and writer, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and,
especially, as Pastor of the Universal Church.
Your Holiness, please accept
this expression of the heartfelt thanks of the Bishops, clergy and faithful of Canada
for the entire gift you have made of yourself for the good of the Church. Your beautiful
and inspiring encyclicals, homilies and innumerable messages form a legacy of clear
teaching, infused with love for Christ and His Church, that you now leave as a sure
guide for Christians of future generations.
As President of our Episcopal Conference,
I wish to thank you for the great kindness and unfailing support you have shown to
the Church in Canada and its Bishops, as we endeavour to be faithful workers in the
Lord’s vineyard. I particularly wish to express our deep appreciation for expressing
the sorrow and regret of the Church for past errors toward the Indigenous People in
Canada, while opening the way to a new future with the canonization of Saint Kateri
Tekakwitha.
Holy Father, your decision to resign arises, we know, out of your
love for the Church. It is an act of faith, which in turn invites all of us to place
our trust and confidence in the Heavenly Father who guides all things, in Jesus Christ
who remains always with us, and in the Holy Spirit who unites us in love and hope.
Thank
you for having served us so very well as Successor of Peter. Rest assured of the abiding
prayers, love and support of the Church in Canada.
Yours sincerely and
respectfully in our Lord, + Richard W. Smith Archbishop of Edmonton and President
of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops