Gratitude for Archbishop Miller's arrival

Archbishop Raymond Roussin

When Archbishop Raymond Roussin, SM, returned from a trip this summer to Croatia, at the top of his agenda was determining how the preparations were going for the upcoming Mass of Welcome Aug. 28 at Holy Rosary Cathedral for Coadjutor Archbishop Michael Miller, CSB.

He had made the trip with Father Pavo Norac-Kevo, OFM, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Croatian Parish.

Archbishop Roussin sat down with The B.C. Catholic to talk about what the arrival of Archbishop Miller will mean to him personally and to Catholics in Vancouver.

The B.C. Catholic: Now that you have had time to meet informally a couple of times with Archbishop Miller, what are your thoughts on acquiring a coadjutor?

Archbishop Roussin: I would say that my heart is really filled with excitement and joy, and also with gratitude to Rome for hearing and responding to my request that another bishop be brought into the archdiocese.

While I think this really should have happened some time ago, considering the size of the Vancouver Catholic community and the number of priests serving here, I also realize that it is not easy to find just the right man for the job. I am very grateful to Rome for taking my concerns seriously.

BCC: What do you think will be the immediate impact of Archbishop Miller's arrival?

AR: In addition to personally looking forward enormously to working with him, I was tremendously impressed when I had a chance to meet him last fall during an ad limina visit to Rome. He did a marvellous job with our group when he was asked to take over the moderating of a meeting prior to our visit with the Pope. I saw firsthand that he has "people skills" galore! so I'm sure his coming will prove a wonderful thing for the archdiocese as well as for me.

BCC: How are you considering dividing responsibilities in the archdiocese?

AR: Soon after the celebrations are over, I plan to sit down with Archbishop Miller to ask what tasks he is interested in taking on. He will be the vicar general; that is automatic. Beyond that, he could also assume responsibilities such as Catholic education, as he has such a profound background in that area. I am sure the schools and our new colleges especially will benefit from his advice and expertise.

It may take some time to ease into this process, as Archbishop Miller plans to continue fulfilling those speaking and travelling engagements made before his appointment to Vancouver, but I'm sure things will be in train before long. I think that his gifts and whatever gifts I possess will turn out to be quite complementary, actually.

BCC: Could you further elaborate on what Archbishop Miller's coming will mean to you personally.

AR: I am most looking forward to simply sharing the tasks of being a pastor and a shepherd in this archdiocese, looking forward to the two of us shepherding together. I hope to do much more visiting parishes and schools. I want to visit all the pastors and every parish.

As I have gone into parishes, I have realized the importance of taking the time so people can meet their bishop. I will not be coming to examine the books or to check on the parish finances or to question how the parish is being administered, but to simply make contact with people. This is more important than anything else.

I also tell people it's okay to voice their complaints to me, because how else can we find out what's important? I've been to two or three schools to talk to the children and have found it to be one of the best parts of being a bishop, so this definitely figures in my future.

BCC: Do you most anticipate the arrival of Archbishop Miller as "lightening the load" or of giving you the chance to take new directions in your episcopal duties?