A Letter to the Christian Faithful on Renewal in the Archdiocese of Vancouver

Dear Brother and Sisters in Christ,

From the beginning of my appointment, I have sensed that I was entering a current of grace already moving through the Archdiocese of Vancouver. It has been a joy to witness the vitality of this local Church and to learn of its long tradition of faithful witness to Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit has clearly been at work among us and continues to lead us forward in the joyful proclamation of the Gospel.

Over the past year, I have visited communities throughout the Archdiocese and listened to many voices. Meetings with our priests have deepened my understanding of our history and the challenges before us. Through these encounters, I have become even more convinced that God is powerfully at work among us, calling us to respond with faith, courage, and hope.

In many of these conversations, a shared desire for renewal has emerged. By renewal, we mean responding to what God is doing among us. It is not about reinventing the Church or focusing mainly on structures, strategies, or programs. The Church is more than buildings; she is mission. Everything we do must lead people to a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. The proclamation of the Gospel is the heart of renewal and must remain at the centre of all we do together.

Therefore, on this Solemnity of Pentecost, I am announcing a process of renewal for the Archdiocese of Vancouver. As we prepare for the great Jubilee of 2033, marking two thousand years since the Redemption, let us ask with renewed faith: what does the Lord desire for his Church in Vancouver, and to what is he calling us?

To guide this process, I have established several task forces to consider how renewal should unfold in different areas of Archdiocesan life and to make recommendations to me. These are: priestly life, parish life, liturgy, schools, and infrastructure. In the months ahead, many ideas, hopes, concerns, and proposals will emerge as participants reflect and pray with generosity and courage, always remembering that we are not directing this process. We are stepping into something God is already doing. This is an exciting moment in the life of our local Church.

The biblical text guiding this process is the Lord’s promise in the Book of Revelation: “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). These words assure us that Christ is renewing his Church. Our task is to listen, discern, and follow. I invite everyone to take part in this endeavour, especially through prayer. Please pray for our parishes, priests, schools, and ministries. In particular, pray that care for God’s poor ones remains at the heart of our Archdiocesan renewal. In the months ahead, there will also be opportunities to share your experiences and stay connected as this process unfolds.

Please visit  rcav.org/renewal to commit to praying for this renewal process and to sign up for updates.

Together, let us entrust this journey to the intercession of the Blessed Mother, our model of openness to the gentle yet powerful work of the Holy Spirit. May she who said, “Do whatever he tells you” guide us by her example and prayer to follow with joy and hope where the Lord leads.

Yours sincerely in Christ,
✠Richard W. Smith
Archbishop of Vancouver