Today is the great feast of Corpus Christ (The Body and Blood of Jesus)
It gives me great joy that on the Feast of Corpus Christi, we are able to gather again as the Body of Christ to celebrate the centrality of our faith and who we are as a people of God. The Eucharist makes us who we are as Catholics. It is the source and summit of our faith.
This has been a difficult week for me and for all of us. I’ve received lots of calls and emails from people in the community and in the parish who ask me: “What is the Church doing regarding the shocking and sad news about what happened in Kamloops?” These questions come from hearts that are wounded, hearts that are suffering.
During these days, I’ve had to shed tears as I come before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament: this affects all of us but mostly our Indigenous brothers and sisters. Please know that I’m praying for you.
Millions of children died during the Nigerian/Biafran war. During these days, I’ve had to watch the pictures of these children who died because there was no food for them, who died of kwashiorkor, who died because of illness, who died as they were being breastfed by their mothers. Sometimes, there’s no more milk coming out. It’s run out and there’s nothing more for these little ones. The next thing is death. The world watched as these children died. Thanks to Caritas – Catholic organization that began to send food to save lives.
Something needs to be done in the present situation – to heal and to save the lives of all who are traumatized.
Two of our parishioners: one an indigenous person and the other someone who has lived in the Yukon – they sent me an audio clip of the interview conducted by Bishop Villa of Whitehorse. The audio clip is a gift to me. Thank you.
I’ll share some excerpts from that. The Bishop was asked why he took part in a solidarity walk with the Indigenous people. He said: “I walk along with them because I know they are hurting: they need all the support that we can give.”
When asked how he felt seeing the hundreds of pairs of shoes and teddy bears on the steps of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, his response was: “It is heartbreaking because if you think of the loss of these children, it just breaks your heart. This is a horrendous event that needs clarity and the Church is committed to bring light and to walk along with the people. It was heartbreaking but we always have to look at the light – the light that brings hope, and we know that God is going to help, to bring charity to this and to sustain us in these difficult moments.”
Furthermore he said: “I was touched by what the Chief said. Her words were very profound” The Chief said: “The cycle of anger needs to stop – we need to stop the cycle of violence with love and forgiveness.”
The Chief, the Bishop said, is a survivor of residential schools and her words broke the ice and set the tone for the meeting.
We need to touch the wounds that people are carrying. The Bishop said something that I won’t forget: “You can’t tell someone that you love that person unless you really know what makes the person suffer. And that is fundamental in any relationship. How can I say that I love you if I don’t even know what makes you suffer.”
When asked about the members of the Church grappling with this: with the role that the Church played in residential schools. He replied: “I think we must ask for forgiveness, for any wrong doings: we need to have that as our goal whenever we approach anyone that has gone through residential schools and have suffered a lot. We need to accompany them, to sit with them, to listen to them and that is the attitude of someone who cares and does not judge or condemn.”
What are we going to do?
- I’ll be meeting with one of the chiefs and some of the Indigenous members of our parishes. Reading history books is not enough. I’d like to sit down and listen to their stories. This will be a gift to me and our parishes. And this will help us as we chart the way forward towards peace, reconciliation and healing. I do have much to learn.
- I will reach out to our Indigenous brothers and sisters on the Penticton Reserve.
- I’ll plan an evening of prayer dedicated for healing and for the repose of the souls of the 215 children.
- We will organize to go to the cemetery. My plan is that, for those who can, we will walk to the cemetery. Those who can’t are welcome to drive. If you want to, you can bring a pair of children’s shoes or a teddy bear.
The above plans will come to fruition as I’ll be relying on the advise I’ll get during my meetings next week.
May the Creator God forgive, heal and guide us as we seek His face and seek to meet with each other in love and forgiveness.
Happy Feast of Corpus Christi.
Your brother, Fr. Obi