In installation homily, Vancouver's new archbishop says, 'Our world needs Jesus Christ!'

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (OSV News) -- "Our world needs Jesus Christ!"

Archbishop Richard W. Smith, the new shepherd of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, told the congregation at his installation Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral.

Today's greatest challenge is "getting through" to the hearts of the unconverted, he declared in his homily, and he is "eager to collaborate," he said, with his new flock in the evangelizing mission of the universal church.

His May 23 installation Mass was resplendent in pageantry, flawless in organization and liturgically solemn -- and with thunderous applause, the faithful who filled the cathedral welcomed Vancouver's new archbishop.

In addition to the overflow crowd that had to be accommodated in Rosary Hall next door, the livestreamed Mass was viewed by more than 7,000 people online.

Also attending were Canada's apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, Cardinal Gérald C. Lacroix of Québec, who is the primate of Canada, and Bishop William T. McGrattan of Calgary, Alberta, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

British Columbian bishops, as well as bishops who previously served as priests in Vancouver, were in attendance. They included, from British Columbia, Bishop Gary M. Gordon of Victoria, Bishop Stephen A. Jensen of Prince George, Bishop Joseph P. Nguyen of Kamloops, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster, and Bishop Emeritus David Monroe of Kamloops. Other prelates included Bishop Gary A. Franken of St. Paul, Alberta; Bishop Mark A. Hagemoen of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Archbishop Emeritus Richard J. Gagnon of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The installation began with the archbishop standing outside the cathedral doors and knocking three times with a gavel, symbolizing Jesus' words in Revelation 3:20, "I stand at the door and knock."

During his welcoming remarks, Msgr. Gregory Smith, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, told the congregation the evening would be defined by two words: "thank-you" to retiring Archbishop J. Michael Miller and "welcome" to "our new chief shepherd," Archbishop Smith.

In his homily, Archbishop Smith said he was struck by two things on his arrival in Vancouver: the traffic, and the monumental boundaries that define the city, from the ocean and the mountains, and the American border to the south.

"I look forward to learning how these confines have come to shape the culture of the peoples they circumscribe," said the archbishop, who led the Archdiocese of Edmonton, Alberta, from 2007 until Pope Francis appointed him to succeed Archbishop Miller Feb. 25.

Archbishop Smith said he can already see the spiritual world of Vancouver, without borders, that "exists in the very heart of this area." Meditating on the multicultural reality of the city by quoting Peter in Acts 10, he said, "'God shows no partiality.' The promise of salvation in Christ extends to all, without demarcation."

The same universal mission of the church that brought missionaries to British Columbia 200 years ago now compels the faithful to evangelize the city, he said. "We are blessed with the presence of peoples who represent a wide array of nations and cultures. … We need simply to walk across the street, get on SkyTrain, or go to work to find ourselves in a vast missionary field."

Archbishop Smith praised the "extensive and varied programs of faith and formation, creative communications, and missionary outreach" in parishes, Catholic institutions, and lay associations in Vancouver.

"There is a wonderful dynamism here, an enthusiasm for the Gospel, and I am eager to collaborate with all of you," he said.

"Our world needs Jesus Christ!" said Archbishop Smith. "So, like Saint Paul, 'we do not lose heart' but move forward in hope. The message we announce is "Jesus Christ as Lord", risen and alive, whose light reveals the truth of God and ourselves, and whose mercy alone has the power to overcome all sin and transform the world in view of its salvation."

The way to get through to the hearts of the unconverted, which he called today's greatest challenge, can be found in the words of Jesus, he said. "Here is the lesson Jesus is teaching us: A message gets through when it answers directly and clearly to whatever need is prompting a search for resolution. We must understand the desires people have for the 'safety, stability, and predictability' inaccessible in the modern world."

Regarding the "many other anxieties and difficulties inhabiting the hearts of our contemporaries," he said, "We must understand them well, so that, by God's grace, the Gospel will 'get through' by our announcing Jesus Christ as the answer to the deepest questions of human existence."

Anticipating the "many blessings the Lord has in store for us as we embrace together his call to evangelization," he referenced Mary's words to Elizabeth, praying "that the Lord, who is mighty, will do great things for his church here in Vancouver, and throughout our country, as we pursue the mission to share with others the joy and hope that are ours in Christ Jesus, the risen Lord."

The defining moment of the evening came near the end of Archbishop Smith's final thanks to everyone from high-ranking clergy and friends and family who had travelled from afar, to cathedral staff and volunteers. Then, with a pause, he started a final word of thanks "on behalf of us all, Archbishop Michael Miller … ."

He never finished the sentence. The cathedral faithful erupted in sustained applause, rising to their feet in a spontaneous standing ovation that left Archbishop Miller gazing silently at the floor until the minute-long show of appreciation subsided.

As the congregation settled back into their pews, Archbishop Smith continued, "I obviously don't need to say anything more," he quipped, "but I shall."

He went on to say it quickly became clear to him "how immensely grateful are the people of this local church" for Archbishop Miller's strong and wise leadership, "and in what high esteem you are held."

He praised the retiring archbishop's "exceptional generosity," especially his decision to remain in office nearly four years past the usual retirement age of 75 at the request of Pope Francis.

Archbishop Smith closed by offering thanks for Archbishop Miller's episcopal ministry, and prayed that he be blessed "with much consolation and peace as you enter a new stage of discipleship."