Latest news with #WilliamMcGrattan
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.
CBC
08-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Canadian Catholics react to Pope Leo XIV's election
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.
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.
CBC
18-04-2025
- General
- CBC
Way of the Cross returns to traditional route in Calgary after COVID hiatus
Social Sharing Calgary Catholics are returning to their roots, in a sense, as the annual Way of the Cross procession route reverts to its pre-COVID glory on Friday. "It allows the faithful to be united at that special time with Christ as he walks towards the ultimate sign of his love, the giving of his life on the cross," Bishop William McGrattan told CBC News in a Thursday interview. Last year, the procession route started at St. Mary's University campus and ended at the Father Lacombe Care Centre in southeast Calgary. This year, the traditional route is restored, starting and ending at St. Mary's Cathedral on 18th Avenue S.W. This was the norm between 1983 and 2019. McGrattan said this time is very important to Catholics. "We are entering what we call our sacred triduum, the three days in which we celebrate. Holy Thursday, the institution of the gift of the eucharist. We celebrate Good Friday with the passion and the cross. And that leads us in the celebration of Easter, our belief and our witness of the resurrection of Christ," he said. The Way of the Cross, also referred to as Stations of the Cross or the Via Crucis, is an outdoor walk across 14 stations, which the diocese says commemorates Jesus Christ's last time on earth as a man. The church is expecting around 3,000 participants, including many from outside of the Catholic tradition. "In many ways, human suffering, which is part of Christ's passion, we see in various cultures and countries. When we make the way of the cross, we include all those people," the bishop said. "We pray for those who are disadvantaged, those who are living in poverty, those who are immigrants, those who have experienced political violence. So at each of the stations, we include many of our brothers and sisters who are experiencing those circumstances." It begins at St. Mary's Cathedral, 219 18th Ave. S.W., at 8:30 a.m.
