Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Bishop Bruce and Bishop Mary Irwin Gibson of Montreal were in Canterbury England attending a course for newly consecrated bishops earlier this week when the horrific attack on our Muslim community took place in Quebec City. He, with the Bishop of Montreal, immediately issued a pastoral letter which many of you will by now have seen. He left the course and returned earlier this week in order to participate in the victim’s funerals, in Montreal on Thursday and in Quebec City on Friday, and to join our Muslim brothers and sisters in solidarity and prayer.
This Sunday is the first time most of our communities will have gathered together since the shooting and it is important that we acknowledge what has happened in our province and diocese and our response to it. Thus, Bishop Bruce has issued the attached Pastoral Letter (‘pastoral’ because the bishop is the chief pastor of the Diocese) to be read at all public services tomorrow. You will find it in English and French in both Word and PDF format. After it has been publicly read please post it in a prominent location within the church, hall, or outside notice board where it may be best seen.
It is also his wish that you advertise the Solidarity Evensong taking place tomorrow evening at 5pm in our Cathedral. Bishop Bruce will be preaching, leaders of the Muslim community will be in attendance, and the Cardinal Archbishop will be leading prayers. Although most will be unable to make the journey to Quebec City it is important that we all are aware that this act of public prayer, grief, and solidarity it is being offered on behalf of all of us as a diocesan family. We can all be there in our hearts and in our prayers.
Edward OGS
