Office of the Archbishop of Ottawa
Good Shepherd Sunday
May 7, 2006
Dear Parishioners of St. Brigid's Parish
On this Good Shepherd Sunday, I am deeply aware of how my pastoral responsibility
for the Diocesan Church sometimes leads me to take difficult decisions which affect a particular parish. It is in that context
that I am writing to advise you of changes that will profoundly affect your parish community. Most of the reasons which have
led me to this decision are external to your own parish life and history. Those who advise me on the pastoral care of our
Diocese are obliged to look at factors which affect us regionally and not just on a parish-by-parish basis.
As we reflected once again on the future of St. Brigid's, we realized that there are many
factors that are external to the parish which were key to my decision, such as the changed demographics of the area in the
last thirty years, the general decrease in Sunday practice by Catholics, and the change in the character of Lowertown. Some
of these realities are affecting alll of our inter-city parishes. You are likely aware, for example, of the closing of Our
Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in September of last year.There are, of course, financial considerations. The Cathedral underwent
a major renovation in 1999 and St. Patrick's Basilica continues a multi-million dollar restoration. Taking all of these considerations
into account, I have come to the conclusion that it would be very difficult to justify spending the considerable amount of
money that would be necessary to effect a restoration of St. Brigid's Church, or any other inner-city Catholic Church.
Having made the decision about the building, my principal concern turned to the pastoral
care of the community that worships here. You have a long and significant history with many accomplishments. You actively
support your parish and are involved in its life. Given the location of St. Brigid's, as well as its origins in the late nineteenth
century, it seemed natural to amalgamate St. Brigid's Parish with the parish of Notre Dame Cathedral. In effect, the St. Brigid's
community is amalgamating with its parish of origin.
In the early days of Lowertown, the Cathedral was a bilingual parish, home to both
Irish and French-Canadian Catholics. In recent years, the Cathedral Parish has returned, in some sense to its origins. It
is a bilingual community, but it also reflects our contemporary reality in that its community is multi-cultural. In essence,
the Cathedral parish attempts to be a faithful reflection of our diocesan church of today and welcomes a diverse group of
people which have found in it a welcoming community of faith.
In reflecting on the best approach to the future pastoral care of the members of
St. Brigid's Parish, I am also aware of the particular ministry that Fr. Arana has had with respect to members of the Filipino
community. As a result, my decision has three elements:
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In the appointment of pastors, which should be made during the month of May, Fr.
Arana will be named to Assumption Parish in Vanier and he will be asked to continue his ministry to members of the Filipino
community. I assume that many of the Filipino community who worship at St. Brigid's will likely follow him.
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Effective with this Spring's pastoral appointments, St Brigid's Parish will be amalgamated
with the Parish of Notre Dame Cathedral. Those who continue to worship in St. Brigid's Church will be under the pastoral leadership
of Msgr. Patrick Powers, the Rector of the Cathedral. I will be appointing Fr. Tim Amyot, currently pastor of Assumption Parish,
to assist Msgr. Powers in the pastoral care of the community which will continue to worship at St. Brigid's Church.
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Any sale or future use of the church should take into consideration its heritage
value. As it would be unwise to leave the building unoccupied during any period of transition, it is anticipated that some
Sunday Eucharists will continue to be celebrated in the church, even after the amalgamation of the parish with the Cathedral
Parish. Such a period of transition should not exceed one year from this Fall.
As the Rector of the Cathedral charged with the pastoral care of those worshipping
at St. Brigid's, Msgr. Powers has been asked to make contact with those involved in the various councils, committees and ministries
of your parish. He will see to the wisdom of forming a joint committee of Cathedral and St. Brigid parishioners to advise
and assist him in the process of transition and integration, in order to form a united and welcoming parish from the two communities.
I am very much aware of the heritage value of St. Brigid's. I want to assure
you that any funds which have been collected for the restoration of St. Brigid's will be used for that purpose. With respect
to the sale or future use of the church building, I will be seeking the guidance of the Diocesan committees and councils,
as required by Canon Law. I do, in addition, wish to hear the advise of members of your community. Therefore, I have instructed
Msgr. Kevin Beach, my Vicar General, to form a small consultative committee which should include 3 to 5 members of the existing
St. Brigid's Parish.
Decisions of this nature are never easy to make or to accept. So that we may all
keep before us the good and unity of our Diocesan Church, let us ask Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, to be at the centre
of our prayer and life. As we enter into this month of May, let us also ask Mary, Mother of the Church, to intercede for us.
Yours in Jesus Christ our Lord,
+ Marcel Gervais
Archbishop of Ottawa
