The Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, has provided the following statement regarding his visit to Canada this week:
The Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, has provided the following statement regarding his visit to Canada this week:
I am honoured to be visiting Canada at the invitation of Archbishop Linda Nicholls.
The history of the Church of England in Canada is one that has, to my profound regret, caused lasting suffering and hurt to the Indigenous communities. The Church of England had pledged to walk with Indigenous people and advocate for them ‘as long as the grass grows’. Instead, we failed to honour our commitment to be an advocate, ally and relative of First Nations people.
A significant purpose of this visit is therefore to repent and atone for where our relationships and actions have done more harm than good—and to honour the sovereignty of Indigenous communities.
The visit will be an opportunity to listen, to lament and to pray for justice, healing and transformation in the relationship between the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island and the Arctic, and the See of Canterbury and the Church of England.
This relationship predates both the Canadian Confederation and the creation of the Anglican Church of Canada. I pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit this relationship can be reimagined not as one of jurisdiction, but as a covenant of relatives and disciples of Jesus Christ.
+Justin Cantuar
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From April 29 to May 3, Abp Welby will meet with Indigenous Anglicans and Indigenous leaders in three communities: Prince Albert in northern Saskatchewan, Six Nations of the Grand River in southern Ontario, and Toronto.
During his five-day visit the Archbishop will hear from residential school survivors, visit Indigenous communities and share in the Anglican Church of Canada’s work of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Canadians across the country will be able to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury speak during at least two live-streamed events:
Sunday, May 1, 10:30am CST at St. Alban’s Cathedral in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, during Holy Communion, when Abp Welby will be the guest preacher. This service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPhjQI80p2E
Tuesday, May 3, 2:30 EDT at Wycliffe College, Toronto, during a special convocation ceremony at which Wycliffe will award the Archbishop of Canterbury with a Doctor of Divinity honoris causa. Abp Welby will give the convocation address. The ceremony will be live-streamed at https://www.wycliffecollege.ca/convocation_2022
