Bishop Fabbro’s Statement on the Death of Pope Francis:
“News of the death of Pope Francis has been received with great sadness. Catholics, and non-Catholics around the world, have a profound appreciation for his papacy and his outstanding leadership. We mourn his loss and thank God for the humble witness he gave all of us.
Pope Francis boldly proclaimed that God’s mercy is the heart of the Gospel and that it is offered to everyone. In this Jubilee Year, he called us to be pilgrims of hope. He was a true pastor, a shepherd who cared for the flock, especially those who were poor and on the margins. In his own ministry, he constantly demonstrated the message he gave priests that they needed to have the “smell of the sheep”.
The pope was admired worldwide for championing the rights of immigrants and refugees, for promoting world peace and ecological justice, and for his courageous commitment to bring an end to clergy sexual abuse and to put in place the preventative measures necessary to create safe environments in the Church.
I was very grateful to meet Pope Francis on two occasions. Both these encounters left a deep impression on me. My first meeting with the pope occurred at the last ad limina visit to Rome of the Canadian bishops. At the time, I was President of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario and was expecting to give a presentation. At the outset of our meeting, however, the pope said that he did not want any speeches but wanted to listen to the bishops. I was inspired by his genuine concern for us as bishops and the personal insights he shared with us on the pastoral challenges we were facing in our dioceses. He encouraged us to be close to our people.
My second meeting with him occurred in Quebec during his Apostolic Journey to Canada in July of 2022. I was moved by his apologies to the Indigenous Peoples, the respect he showed them and the sorrow he expressed for the pain caused by the residential schools. I went to Quebec with a small group of Indigenous who were serving on our diocesan committee. They spoke to me of how moved they were by the pope’s words and of the healing it brought them. The incredible witness the pope gave us on his penitential pilgrimage to Canada has been instrumental in our diocesan commitment to journey with local indigenous communities on the path of truth, reconciliation and healing.
The pope has had a huge impact on me and my episcopal ministry. In his Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, he calls us to be a missionary Church that is an authentic witness to the Gospel in our culture. My vision is that our Families of Parishes be welcoming and that they form our people to be disciples of Jesus who, by their joyful witness, invite others to experience the joy of meeting Jesus in their lives. The pope’s other documents, such as Amoris Laetitia, Christus Vivit and Laudato Si, have shaped the pastoral outreach of our diocese to families and young people and our commitment to environmental stewardship. Following the recent direction given by the pope that we must listen to the voices of our lay people, our diocese is taking steps to be a more synodal Church.
In the days ahead, the people of our diocese will join in prayer for Pope Francis. We thank God for his witness to the Gospel and for the faithful service he gave the Church as our shepherd. May he rest in peace.”