Papal Delegation

Canadian Bishops, Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Announce Rescheduled Dates for Rome Delegation

February 1, 2022 – The Canadian Catholic Bishops, Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami are pleased to announce that the delegation to Rome to meet with Pope Francis, originally planned for December 2021, is now scheduled to take place at the end of March and early April of this year.

In light of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, both in Canada and throughout the world, a prudent decision was made in December to postpone the delegation out of concern for the safety of all delegates, recognizing the uncertainty regarding travel and the fluid nature of the situation.

Working closely with the Vatican, new dates have been confirmed. The Holy Father is now scheduled to meet with individual Indigenous delegations the week of March 28, 2022. A final audience with all participants will take place on Friday, April 1, 2022.

The health and safety of all delegates remain our first priority. In the weeks ahead, we will monitor conditions leading up to the revised travel dates and continue our dialogue with delegates, public health officials as well as the relevant government and international authorities, traveling only when we feel it is safe to do so.

We remain committed to walking toward healing and reconciliation and very much look forward to the opportunity for Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, residential school survivors, and youth to meet with Pope Francis. >>more

Sacred Fire and Prayer Wave for Healing and Reconciliation
In Support of Indigenous Delegation to Rome – March 28 – April 1, 2022
Friends in the Lord, Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle

On March 28, 2022, as the encounter begins, in solidarity with the Indigenous Fire Keepers keeping the Sacred Fire in your region and across this land, we invite all of you to light a fire or a candle and to pray.

It is suggested each Diocese partner with Catholic Women’s League of Canada, Knights of Columbus, and other groups to ensure commitment to continuous prayer across each region’s prayer time. Click here for the full document.

ATLANTIC TIME ZONE
NS, PEI and NB, NL - 5 am- 9 am
EASTERN TIME ZONE
QC, NU - 8 am – 11 am
ON, NU - 11 am – 1 pm
CENTRAL TIME ZONE
MB - 12 noon -3 pm
SK - 3 pm – 6 pm
MOUNTAIN TIME ZONE
AB, NT - 5 pm – 8 pm
YT, NT - 8 pm – 11 pm
PACIFIC TIME ZONE
BC - 9 pm – 11 pm

“Who is this that comes forth like the dawn, as beautiful as the moon, as resplendent as the sun...?” Song 6:10 (Vg)

O Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Guadalupe
Intercede for us with your Son
That we who live in this land,
Indigenous and non-Indigenous together
may experience healing andreconciliation,
on a renewed journey for justice
and peace for our children.

Mother of the Church, pray for us.