Archbishop mourns loss of historic church in Alberta, Canada, destroyed by arson
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Loading... - Eirene Hondros
- 26 May 2023
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The archbishop of Grouard-McLennan in Northern Alberta, Canada, expresses his profound sorrow but remains resolute in the face of a devastating incident that resulted in the loss of a 121-year-old church due to arson. Archbishop Gérard Pettipas, CSsR, issued a statement on Tuesday, May 23, in response to the fire that occurred on May 22, which tragically consumed the cherished St. Bernard Catholic Church, leaving it irreparably destroyed.
In his poignant message, Archbishop Pettipas acknowledges the profound impact of this loss, stating, "This is a sorrowful moment for the countless individuals who hold cherished memories within the walls of this church. It served as a sacred space for frequent Masses, baptisms, funerals, confirmations, and confessions. Now, these once-hallowed walls lie charred and reduced to debris."
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have pressed charges against two individuals in connection with this tragic incident. Kenneth Ferguson, aged 56, and Gerald Capot, aged 50, both residents of High Prairie, Alberta, face charges of break and enter to commit theft, as well as arson. They are scheduled to appear in court in High Prairie on May 29.
Highlighting the historical significance of St. Bernard, Archbishop Pettipas emphasizes, "This venerable church holds immense importance, not only as a monument to the past, but also as an integral part of our present. The diocese has been diligently working towards the restoration of this building, gradually reclaiming its original splendor."
While expressing profound grief over the loss of the church and expressing regret over the incident that caused its destruction, the archbishop maintains an unwavering spirit, stating, "Though this loss weighs heavily upon us, we are not overcome by it. No lives were lost in the fire." He emphasizes that while a physical structure may be lost, the Church itself, denoted by a capital 'C,' remains indestructible. The people of God, the embodiment of Christ, continue to thrive. The flames of faith ignited within the walls of the church endure, as the message of Jesus Christ remains as potent and vibrant as ever.
The archdiocese reveals that St. Bernard held a special place in their history, serving as the diocese's inaugural cathedral. It was constructed when Bishop Emile Grouard, the episcopal vicar of Athabasca, chose Lesser Slave Lake Post as the seat of the diocese. Bishop Grouard, a gifted artist, created a mural that adorned the altar, a testament to his artistic talent and devotion.
In 1942, the vicariate was relocated to McLennan, where the current cathedral was ultimately completed in 1945.
Regrettably, the incident involving the destruction of St. Bernard Catholic Church adds to a distressing trend. Since the announcement in 2021 that graves had been discovered near a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia, over 50 Catholic churches in Canada have fallen victim to vandalism or arson attacks.
The Catholic Civil Rights League of Canada maintains a comprehensive Church Attacks Database at ccrl.ca, documenting various assaults on Catholic churches throughout the country, ranging from the breaking of stained-glass windows to acts of desecration and church burnings.
