Latest news with #CanadianConferenceofCatholicBishops
CBC
08-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
'A prophetic appointment': Catholics in Alberta welcome selection of new Pope
Albertan members of the Catholic Church are among well over one billion Catholics welcoming the election of a new Pope. The selection of Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, as Pope Leo XIV on Thursday marks the first time a Catholic hailing from North America has held the title. Diocese of Calgary Bishop William McGrattan met with Prevost on a number of occasions after the American cardinal's appointment as prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023. "I found him to be very sensitive," said McGrattan, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, during a media availability in Edmonton. "A person who listens first before speaking." Canadian Catholics react to Pope Leo XIV's election 2 hours ago Duration 4:16 Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected Pope and will go by the name of Pope Leo XIV. Speaking at the Catholic archdiocese of Edmonton, Bishop William McGrattan, the president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he'd met Prevost many times as the new Pope used to head the dicastery for bishops. McGrattan called the new Pope a "very quiet man" with a humble nature and a sense of justice, and whose lengthy experience as a missionary in Peru reflects the Catholic Church's international presence. "I think his experience of working in the missions will bring that perspective, that the church is universal and the church needs to speak to all peoples of all countries," he said. Having an American succeed Pope Francis, often called Pope of the Americas as the first pontiff to hail from Latin America, could be "a prophetic appointment," said McGrattan. "I would hope that the people of America would be open to hear a voice of truth," said McGrattan, declining to delve into any possible political implications. He added that while McGrattan doesn't appear to have any direct ties to Alberta, he has vacationed in Canada and is fond of the Rockies. "He appreciates the nature of Canada and wouldn't be someone who wouldn't know the history, some of the culture and the diversity of Canada," said McGrattan. According to Statistics Canada data from the 2021 census, Catholics are the largest religious denomination in Alberta, with the church's membership of over 830,000 making up nearly 20 per cent of the total population. Father Paul Kavanagh of the Archdiocese of Edmonton echoed the sentiment that the election of a North American pope is incredibly significant. "I know that for the Catholic community here in the archdiocese, this has been a very exciting morning," he said. Kavanagh, who was at church for mass when white smoke billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, was caught by surprise when the news was announced. "I don't think we thought it would be that quick, so it was a bit of a rush to our phones practically," he said. "It was quite exciting." Pope brings missionary experience, says bishop 2 hours ago Duration 3:14 Pope Leo XIV's experience in missionary work will likely inform his papacy — that the church is 'universal and needs to speak to all people of all countries' — says Bishop William McGrattan, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, who describes the new pontiff a humble and sensitive man with a keen sense of justice. The election of a new pope on the second day is typically a sign of unity among the conclave's 133 cardinals, he said. Edmonton churchgoer Ana Nunez called the appointment of an American as pontiff a pleasant surprise. "I think he will be a good pope for representation, not only for America but the whole world," said Nunez. Amid tensions between Canada and the United States, Nunez hopes Pope Leo XIV's appointment can help unite the two nations. "I hope he continues the same mission that Pope Francis did and follows the same path," she said.
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
'Great joy': Election of first American Pope celebrated in Alberta
As Father Paul Kavanagh was finishing Mass for Life at the Alberta legislature Thursday morning, a steady vibration in his pocket signalled a momentous change in Catholic Church history. Article content Article content 'I must say, my phone was buzzing in my pocket, and I wasn't sure why,' said Kavanagh, who serves on the leadership team of the Archdiocese of Edmonton as he recalled the moment with surprise. 'And when Mass was over, many of us who were here, the bishops of Alberta included, they also then realized, 'Oh, the Holy Father's been elected.'' Article content Article content As word of the election sank in, Catholic leaders and parishioners across the province watched history unfold as Cardinal Robert Prevost was chosen as Pope Leo XIV, the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first American ever to hold the role in history. Article content Article content Kavanagh, speaking on behalf of Archbishop Richard Smith, called the moment one of 'great joy' and said the quick election demonstrated the 'gift of the Holy Spirit within this election today.' Article content But it was the chosen name that drew the attention of Bishop William McGrattan, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Calgary-based bishop noted the historical significance of invoking the name of Leo XIII, a Pope recognized for his outspoken advocacy on socio-economic issues during the Industrial Revolution. Article content 'I think his choice of Leo XIV is to go back to Leo XIII,' McGrattan said. 'There was a lot of division in Europe at the time. There were socio-economic problems. There was great poverty, unemployment, all of those issues, and the church was speaking out at that time through Leo XIII. So I think he is sending a message that the church's social teaching, that body of teaching and of truth, is important for the world today.' Article content Article content McGrattan, who has met Pope Leo XIV on several occasions, described him as 'a very quiet man' with 'a sense of justice,' someone who listens before he speaks and who seeks to understand the context of an issue before responding. Article content Article content 'I found him to be very sensitive. A person who listens first before speaking, one who asks questions in order to be able to really appreciate the context of the issues that you're presenting,' he said. Article content The election of the first American pope potentially offers a voice that speaks to the truth and helps both Americans and Canadians recognize the global impact of social issues they may not fully see at home, McGrattan said, calling it 'quite a surprise.' Article content Leo XIV, who spent more than two decades as a missionary in Peru and has worked closely with Indigenous communities, brings with him what McGrattan calls 'a missionary heart,' who will 'make sure that we as brother bishops were supporting what Pope Francis did here in Canada.'
Winnipeg Free Press
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops pleased to hear new pope appointed
EDMONTON – The president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops says he is looking forward to working with the new pope. William McGrattan told reporters at an Edmonton church that he has met Robert Prevost, who has chosen the name Leo XIV, a few times. He says the new pontiff is a sensitive, quiet and humble person who listens before speaking. The 69-year-old is the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church and McGrattan says his appointment feels prophetic. He says America is dealing with social issues that are having global impacts and hopes Americans will be open to the new pope's 'voice of truth.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Prevost is a Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2025.
MTV Lebanon
18-02-2025
- MTV Lebanon
Pope accepts resignation of Canadian bishop accused of sexual abuse
Pope Francis on Tuesday said he had accepted the resignation of a Canadian bishop who has been named in a class-action lawsuit against the church that alleges sexual assault. The pope did not give a reason for replacing Jean-Pierre Blais, the 75-year-old bishop of Baie-Comeau in the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec. But in a statement, he noted that any bishop who turns 75 is automatically requested to offer his resignation. The pope makes a decision on whether to accept the offer "after he has examined all the circumstances", the statement said. Blais is mentioned in a list of sexual predators filed as part of a victims' class action against the Archdiocese of Quebec. He has denied any wrongdoing. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Diocese of Baie-Comeau were not immediately available to comment on the pope's decision.
Reuters
18-02-2025
- Reuters
Pope accepts resignation of Canadian bishop accused of sexual abuse
OTTAWA, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Tuesday said he had accepted the resignation of a Canadian bishop who has been named in a class-action lawsuit against the church that alleges sexual assault. The pope did not give a reason for replacing Jean-Pierre Blais, the 75-year-old bishop of Baie-Comeau in the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec. But in a statement, he noted that any bishop who turns 75 is automatically requested to offer his resignation. The pope makes a decision on whether to accept the offer "after he has examined all the circumstances", the statement said. Blais is mentioned in a list of sexual predators filed as part of a victims' class action against the Archdiocese of Quebec. He has denied any wrongdoing. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Diocese of Baie-Comeau were not immediately available to comment on the pope's decision.
