Archdiocese turns out in force for welcome

By Jeff Graham

As a long line of priests and bishops stretched down Richards Street from Rosary Hall to Holy Rosary Cathedral, on the cool evening of Aug. 28, there was a buzz in the air. Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, new coadjutor bishop for the Archdiocese of Vancouver, was in their midst, and they were waiting to enter the cathedral for his Mass of welcome.

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As he approached the cathedral with Archbishop Raymond Roussin, SM, Archbishop Miller looked calm and poised, often smiling, and appearing as cool and comfortable as the weather that evening. Once they were inside the packed cathedral, Archbishop Roussin welcomed his brother bishop.

"In the name of the church of Vancouver, the clergy, religious, and laity that form the Church of God in this place, I welcome all who have come to pray with us, as we come to receive Archbishop Miller as coadjutor archbishop," said Archbishop Roussin.

It was appropriate that the welcome took place on the feast of St. Augustine, who, like Archbishop Miller, had a tremendous academic aptitude surpassed only by his love for God.

"What an extraordinary grace it is for me to be received into this historic and richly multicultural archdiocese on the feast of St. Augustine, the great pastor and doctor of the church," said Archbishop Miller in his homily. "For me, it is the end of a pilgrimage, which began in Ottawa, where I was born and raised, and continued in Houston and Rome, where the Lord put me to work in those corners of His vineyard. I am very grateful for your warm welcome."

"I am very grateful for your leadership and for your steadfastness in the faith," he told him. "You have much to teach me about this church, and as your coadjutor I certainly have a lot to learn from your experience and wisdom, and from the people of this great archdiocese. To you, Archbishop, I pledge my filial obedience, and my sincere respect."

In addressing the Gospel reading from the book of John, Archbishop Miller reflected on Love, and how we are called to love radically in our Christian walk.

"The readings for the feast of St. Augustine express the very heart of the Christian faith with a marvellous and remarkable clarity," he said. "God is love, and anyone who lives in love, lives in God, and God lives in him. Divine Love is offered to us as a free gift, and it is made personal and concrete in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son sent into the world, so that we might have life through Him, and have life in abundance."

He went on to explain how all baptized Catholics are called to proclaim "the Love of God made flesh in Christ Jesus," while recognizing God’s active pursuit of every human being.

"We should remember Christianity’s uniqueness among all other religions. Why? Because we have for our starting point not just our search, but the staggering mystery of God’s coming to us, of His loving us in Christ, indeed from the foundation of the world, and He does this before we even begin to look for Him."

"We repeat again and again, indeed we shout with our very lives, that we can accept God’s love."

Msgr. Luca Lorusso, the representative of Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Luigi Ventura, explained that he saw tremendous signs of life within the archdiocese.

"The Archdiocese of Vancouver reflects in a very poignant way the dynamism of this city," he said. "In its many parishes, colleges, schools, apostolic organizations, and ministries, the archdiocese carries out the ministry of Christ to all. The universality of the Church is well reflected in the composition of the people of this archdiocese."

Msgr. Lorusso said Archbishop Miller would be a good fit for the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

"Archbishop Miller is well known for his service to the Church in different and important capacities. He will bring his rich background to the Archdiocese of Vancouver, which will benefit from his qualities of heart, mind, and faith."