Archbishop of Canterbury to visit P.A. for Truth and Reconciliation

By Ian Gustafson

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rev. Justin Welby, will be in Prince Albert over the next three days.

On Saturday, the head of the Anglican Church will be at James Smith Cree Nation from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bernard Constant Community School. That visit is open to the public.

According to a media release, during that time, there will be a pipe ceremony, an honour song, opening prayer and reading of the Gospel. This will be followed by welcoming remarks, the blessing of the food, lunch, a drum group and dance, and speeches by dignitaries.

There will also be story sharing by residential school survivors, and a community tour.

On Sunday morning, the Archbishop will be at St. Alban’s Anglican Cathedral for Sunday service. Following the service he will be at a Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) Indigenous gathering at the Exhibition Grounds Main Hall at 2 p.m. Both are open to all. This will be a formal opportunity to meet with Anglican and Indigenous leaders as well as listen to concerns of residential school survivors.

The event in P.A. will also feature a statement from the archbishop.

Father David Butorac from St. Albans told paNOW the purpose of the Archbishop’s trip to Canada is for Truth and Reconciliation, to visit communities and to listen.

“That’s kind of one of his overarching themes this year,” Butorac said. “Obviously, with the historical connection of the Church of England to Anglicanism in Canada, that the church was directly or indirectly involved in, for example, the formation of the Treaties, priests were present at the signing of the Treaties and also with the running of the residential schools.”

Welby’s itinerary is packed and Butorac said the archbishop will also have private meetings with First Nations chiefs before and during the weekend. Welby’s visit also coincides with the Anglican Church of Canada’s Provincial Synod, which is an event where members discuss important matters of faith.

“It makes it very easy for the Archbishop of Canterbury to meet, listen, and share his ideas about Truth and Reconciliation and learn from Indigenous leaders,” Butorac explained.

He added this is an incredibly momentous occasion. The fact Welby is visiting does not happen often and Butorac said when visiting Canada, the Archbishop would hit the big cities.

“The fact that he’s choosing to spend his time in Prince Albert is a huge deal and really it’s very much focused on meeting Indigenous individuals and Indigenous leaders,” Butorac said.

The Archbishop released a statement ahead of his visit on the Anglican Church of Canada website saying he is honoured to be visiting Canada:

The history of the Church of England in Canada is one that has, to my profound regret, caused lasting suffering and hurt to the Indigenous communities. The Church of England had pledged to walk with Indigenous people and advocate for them ‘as long as the grass grows’. Instead, we failed to honour our commitment to be an advocate, ally and relative of First Nations people.

A significant purpose of this visit is therefore to repent and atone for where our relationships and actions have done more harm than good—and to honour the sovereignty of Indigenous communities.

The visit will be an opportunity to listen, to lament and to pray for justice, healing and transformation in the relationship between the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island and the Arctic, and the See of Canterbury and the Church of England.

This relationship predates both the Canadian Confederation and the creation of the Anglican Church of Canada. I pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit this relationship can be reimagined not as one of jurisdiction, but as a covenant of relatives and disciples of Jesus Christ.