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Archbishop LeGatt reflects on a Meeting between Red River Metis and Pope Francis

Trigger warning: Residential Schools and Colonization

Archbishop Albert LeGatt reflects on the most recent of two visits in Rome between Indigenous delegations living in Canada and Pope Francis. This latter of the two was a pilgrimage of Red River Métis peoples, who, following the first meeting where Pope Francis expressed his formal apology for the part the Church played in colonization and assimilation of Indigenous peoples in Turtle Island, embarked on a pilgrimage to continue the work and the paths of reconciliation and peace. The Métis peoples have played a vital role since the start of the Catholic Church’s presence in Western Canada, and continue to be vital actors within our Church today. Truly, our Church is rich precisely because of the diversity of peoples who make it up.

Archbishop Albert LeGatt's Easter 2022 Greetings

These high holy days of the Easter Triduum are not only holy in and of themselves, but they are holy because they call us, too, to grow in our own virtue, holiness, and journey to God. Truly, our world is suffering through these turbulent times. The darkness may at times seem overwhelming. But this Easter, Archbishop Albert calls us to reflect on those lights that are present in our lives, those signs of hope and love, even small, that are the imprint of God’s love for all of creation. Even in the darkest of times, Christ’s light shines ever stronger.
From all of us at the Archdiocese of St. Boniface, we wish you and yours a truly happy and blessed Easter. Truly, he is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Archbishop LeGatt's Reflection on Pope Francis's Apology to Indigenous People

This week, Archbishop Albert reflects and shares on the deeply moving experience he had, last week, as a witness to the meeting between Indigenous Peoples living in Canada and Pope Francis in Rome. During this historic meeting, Pope Francis expressed a heartfelt and sincere apology for the part the Church played in colonization, and the legacy of residential schools in Turtle Island. “I also feel shame. I have said this to you and now I say it again. I feel shame – sorrow and shame – for the role that a number of Catholics, particularly those with educational responsibilities, have had in all these things that wounded you, in the abuses you suffered and in the lack of respect shown for your identity, your culture and even your spiritual values. All these things are contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For the deplorable conduct of those members of the Catholic Church, I ask for God's forgiveness and I want to say to you with all my heart: I am very sorry. And I join my brothers, the Canadian bishops, in asking your pardon. Clearly, the content of the faith cannot be transmitted in a way contrary to the faith itself: Jesus taught us to welcome, love, serve and not judge; it is a frightening thing when, precisely in the name of the faith, counter-witness is rendered to the Gospel.” -Pope Francis, April 1, 2022 Address to representatives of Indigenous Peoples in Canada

➡️➡️Read Pope Francis's complete address by clicking here

Pope Francis apologizes for Church role in residential schools

Bishop LeGatt - COVID-19: What have we learnt?

What started almost two years ago as “we’re all in this together” while in the throws of the first wave of the pandemic, has, in some cases, become quite different today, manifesting through division, derision, and anger. As Spring is approaching, and as many indicators seem to be pointing to the ease of restrictions and to a post-pandemic return to normal to be on the horizon, let us all take a moment of reflection: what can we, individually, and also as a society, learn, through this difficult collective experience? As Christians, we view life firstly through Christ. How is Christ calling us to grow, to help, and to love, right now, and in the coming months? Archbishop Alberts several next messages will further this reflection on this theme.

COVID-19 – New Clarifications and Recommendations

All COVID-19 Public Health Orders were lifted on March 15, 2022.  As such, our archdiocese is entering a new phase with regards to COVID-19.
Although parishes are no longer legally bound to follow COVID prevention measures, they must carefully consider their own road map on how to ease their way out of the pandemic, such as when to phase out social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing, the wearing of masks, whether those persons wishing to receive communion on the tongue continue to wait that all other members of the congregation have received Communion in the hand before coming up to receive the Host, etc.
To read the clarifications and recommendations, click here or on photo.