Current Messages

In this month of May, traditionally dedicated in honour of the Virgin Mary, let us invoke the maternal protection of the Mother of God and Mother of the Church. Let us unite with the Holy Father's wish to make May a month dedicated to a "marathon" of prayer to invoke the end of the pandemic, which has been affecting the world for over a year, and the resumption of social and professional activities. Thirty Marian shrines around the world have been designated to help us pray. Here in Canada, we will turn to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. More details will follow to unite us in faith and thus encourage us to implore the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who, throughout our history, has come to the rescue of her children. I therefore invite the parishes, movements and Catholic associations of our diocese to encourage their faithful to a Marian devotion during the month of May.

Please continue to pray for me, as I do for you.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.

+Marcel

The 4th Sunday of Easter highlights the Good Shepherd who gives his life for his sheep. "I am the Good Shepherd, the true shepherd," Jesus tells us. "I know my sheep, and my sheep know me." It is good to know that Jesus knows us well, that he loves us and is willing to do anything to protect us and lead us to fullness of life. Indeed, we are precious to him, and he is willing to risk his life for each of us.

I like this biblical image of the Good Shepherd because it makes me want to imitate him and to give myself out of love for the service of the sheep entrusted to me. On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we can certainly invoke the True Shepherd to raise up among us priests animated by the same love as Jesus. Our Church needs dedicated men who know they are loved by Jesus and know him well in order to make him known to others.

In the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall, we currently have 8 seminarians, two of whom will be ordained to the priesthood soon and three others will become deacons. It is a great joy for a bishop to celebrate the ordination of a person who generously responds to God's call. Let us assure these seminarians of our prayers and support, and let us not be afraid to challenge new ones to consider this rewarding life of following Christ.

Bearers of Hope During the Pandemic
Struck by a third wave that is once again destabilizing our lives, I note that the prolongation of the pandemic is causing many Catholics to feel frustrated that certain privileges or freedoms are being taken away. The restrictions imposed are severe and can test our patience. No one is happy to see our churches limited to 10 people for the celebration of Mass. We are all tired of wearing masks and practicing confinement. The information circulating among social networks is littered with truths and falsehoods, wise instructions and conspiracy theories, leaving us confused and worried. When we are exhausted and stressed, and many realities are now beyond our control, fear and distrust can easily trap us into taking positions that sow dissent, doubt and revolt. Even the most well-intentioned people, unfortunately, find themselves in camps that seek to regain control by blaming public authorities left and right and sowing division. It appears in our current frustration that many of us blame those who have the duty to see to the well-being of all and criticize their decisions. Be assured that I do not support any group, even ones self-identifying as Catholic, that seeks to stir up discord and revolt.

As your Pastor, I want to protect my sheep and lead them on the path of hope. Let us be careful. Let us make sure that we carry a message that gives confidence and unites us. I can understand that we share various opinions on different realities of the pandemic. But I believe that we must work together as a Church with our government leaders to fight this pandemic. Even if we don't like the restrictions, I believe it is essential that we take the necessary steps to save the lives of those in our families, parishes and communities.

The Bishops of Ontario have been working closely with the Premier of Ontario since the beginning of the pandemic to ensure that he understands the essential value of our liturgical gatherings and sacramental life. Protocols to ensure a safe and healthy environment in our churches have been developed in partnership with public health authorities. We have done an excellent job and the government recognizes our efforts. It is important to note that, unfortunately, not all religious groups have developed similar protocols and are putting them into practice. In its directives to the various places of worship, the government must treat everyone equally; and this may seem unfair. I can assure you that the directive to limit our numbers in our churches at this time is because the situation has reached a critical stage and it is time once again to take extraordinary measures.

As a bishop, I choose to do my best to collaborate with the whole of society to protect the lives of human beings. Even if I have to make the great sacrifice of limiting the number of people at our Masses, I will choose to exercise charity to preserve the health and life of all. I know very well that this does not please everyone, but I beg you to join me in order to ensure a climate of peace and serenity during these difficult times.

Please continue to pray for me, as I do for you.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.

+Marcel

You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified.
He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place where they laid him.
But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee;
there you will see him, just as he told you. (Mark 16, 6-7)

I retain three key messages in this passage from the Gospel of Saint Mark, read at the Easter
Vigil. First of all, just when the women thought they were entering the world of death, since
they were going to embalm the body of Jesus in the tomb, they are told great news: Jesus has
risen! What a surprise! For God, nothing is impossible. In the midst of our distress, our
suffering, our darkness, the risen Christ reveals himself to us even today.

Not having had the chance to study the case, to verify the facts, to see for themselves that
Jesus had really risen, they are immediately sent as messengers of the Good News. We too
are messengers of the Good News, given the same mission as these women. Moved by the Spirit, let us not hesitate to be bearers of the joy of the Gospel. Let us not wait to have all the answers to our questions to witness to our faith.

The third key message is more subtle but carries great hope. "He goes before you into
Galilee.” “Galilee” is the place where the disciples live, it is their “home”. The good news of
the resurrection will be announced to them on their own ground. Jesus goes before them
and meets them in their living and working environment, in all the events of their daily lives.
Jesus also meets us in our own “Galilee”, where we are physically, but also spiritually. He does not wait for us to be perfect Christians to enter a relationship with us. He goes before us every moment, here and now, and walks with us, as he did with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Will we be able to recognize him and be witnesses of his transforming
presence?

Happy Easter!

+Marcel

Please continue to pray for me, as I do for you.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Healthcare professionals need our prayers and support. The federal government is about to expand assisted suicide across Canada. People with disabilities and those with chronic conditions will qualify, even if they are not dying. The bill has been amended in the Senate to allow people with mental health concerns to access it as well. If passed, this law will lead to disrespect for the dignity of human beings and put vulnerable people at risk. 

The federal legislation will have implications for healthcare in the provinces. Now, more than ever, we need doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who will ensure vulnerable patients have caring alternatives to lethal injections. But many healthcare professionals with moral convictions are being pushed out of their profession by provincial health regulators. Here in Ontario, you can support vulnerable patients by contacting the Ontario government and asking that legislation be introduced to protect the conscience rights of healthcare workers. 

I invite you to visit the website for the Coalition for Health Care and Conscience where you can send an email directly to the Ontario government and learn more about this critically important issue. If your MPP ·is Conservative it will be sent to them, and if you are represented by another party it will be sent to the Premier and the Health Minister. Watch the video below of testimonies from healthcare providers. 



No one should ever be forced to participate by immoral means, for example by making an effective referral, in ending the lives of patients. This truly is an issue of life or death. 
Let us continue to pray for those who are sick, vulnerable and alone. Thank you for all that you do to strengthen our faith community, especially during these challenging days. 

Sincerely in Christ, 

+Marcel Damphousse 
Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall 
April 2, 2021