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Diocese of Victoria
https://www.rcdvictoria.org

 

Diocese On-line Marriage Preparation Course

https://www.rcdvictoria.org/marriage-prep

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April 16, 2026

  1. Registration is now open for the 12th Annual Diocese of Victoria Family Camp and Conference. Families are invited to gather for a fun, faith-filled weekend of fellowship, play, and prayer taking place August 20-23 at beautiful Nanoose Bay Camp.

    Details are at: 12thAnnualVictoriaDioceseFamilyCampandConference.eventbrite.ca
     

  2. St. Mark’s College at UBC is now accepting applications for bursaries and awards offered for people within the Diocese of Victoria. Applications are being accepted for the following on a rolling basis.  

    • The Blessed Marie Anne Blondin Bursary ($1,500): for a lay woman who is accepted or enrolled in a program or course for ministry in the Church, such as religious education, social justice, liturgy, social action, care of the sick, etc. Candidates must be able to demonstrate financial needs

    • Formation for Catholic Ministry Award ($3,330): for a schoolteacher, or parish or diocesan lay leader in the diocese of Victoria wanting to pursue theological education to deepen their understanding of the faith and better be able to teach it and/or deepen ones spiritual life.

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      More information and application forms are available at: https://stmarkscollege.ca/scholarships-and-financial-aid/#GraduateScholarships

 

3. All are invited to participate in an online “Conversation in the Spirit” synodal session on Saturday, April 25 from 10:30 – 11:45 am. As part of the Diocese of Victoria Permanent Pastoral Synod, this safe, respectful, and non-judgmental session will be exploring questions about how to bring the Good News to our communities.

Here is what one participant had to say about their experience in a session: “At first, I did not expect to be moved, but it has been a positive experience and I have been surprised at things. I have discovered that we don’t know how we feel until we can speak about it and be heard. This is how it is (at this Conversation in the Spirit)”

To join the session, see the following Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81881926381?pwd=K8hfpytrbBlv18YHYjbIa0Tmotzcub.1

    Meeting ID: 818 8192 6381

    Passcode: 921735

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4. Father Mike Favero wishes to share an update with the people of the Diocese about a change in his health.  The cancer in his lymph nodes has come back for the second time. He is hoping to start chemotherapy soon. He will have to curtail many activities as his immune system is now compromised. He thanks you in advance for all your prayers and support with his illness.

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April 9, 2026

  1. The Laudato Si’ Animators Program is a free, online formation offered by the Laudato Si' Movement that invites parishioners to deepen their faith and respond to Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home. Through spiritual reflection and practical learning, this free online training offers a rich experience that will empower participants to bring his Laudato Si’ encyclical to life in their communities through faith-based action, ecological education, and community engagement. A new course is starting April 15, 2026. For more information go to: https://laudatosianimators.org/

  2. Catholic Women’s Leadership Foundation is hosting a leadership program in partnership with Saint Paul University starting May 1. In this eight-week online program Catholic women are invited to grow as confident, faith‑centered leaders in a synodal Church. Through prayerful reflection, dialogue, and skill‑building, participants are provided with a transformative learning opportunity to acquire deeper self-awareness, knowledge and skills that will foster agency as mature Christian disciples in and for the world. For more info visit:https://www.cwlfcanada.ca/st-paul-university

  3. Bishop Gary Gordon will celebrate a special Mass at 11:00 am on Sunday, April 19 in honour of the dedication of those who work or volunteer in health care. Everyone is invited to participate, either in person at St. Patrick's Parish in Victoria (2060 Haultain St, Victoria BC), or via livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/BcHDjhHItMc.  A Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast will take place before and after Mass in the Lourdes Hall

  4. St. Andrew's Regional High School invites the community to their theater presentation of Annie Jr! Tickets are $20 at the Spectrum Theatre. Come out and support our students and staff. For show times and instructions to purchase tickets go to: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/anniejr

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April 2, 2026

1. Bishop Gary Gordon has written a message to the people of the Diocese of Victoria for the occasion of Easter 2026. The message may be read online at:https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/bishop-gary-gordons-message-for-easter-2026

 

2. Would you like to help restore an important Garry Oak ecosystem? On April 12 and running every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 1–4 pm, all are invited to come rain or shine to build community and help remove invasive species from our property on the slopes of Christmas Hill. Please meet in the Sacred Heart parking lot (4044 Nelthorpe Street, Victoria). For more information and to sign up, email jseale1234@gmail.com or visit: https://garry-oak-ecosystem-restoration-2026.eventbrite.ca

 

3. Island Catholic Schools warmly invite you to their annual Joy of Music Concert at the UVic Farquhar Auditorium on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6 pm. This special evening showcases the musical talents of students from St. Patrick’s, St. Joseph’s, and St. Andrew’s, bringing our communities together in celebration through choir, band, and musical theatre performances. Join us for an inspiring night as our young musicians share their dedication, creativity, and passion for music while honouring the spirit of our Island Catholic Schools community. Purchase tickets by calling the UVic Box Office at (250) 721-8480 or online at:
https://purchase.tickets.uvic.ca/EventAvailability?EventId=12601 

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March 26, 2026

  1. Times and locations of Holy Week and Easter services across our Diocese are available on our website at: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/events/2026-holy-week-mass-times

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  2. You're invited to support Help Not Harm, a campaign organized by the Archdiocese of Toronto to push back against plans currently in place to expand euthanasia (Medical Assistance in Dying – MAiD) for those suffering from mental illness.  Visit HelpNotHarmCanada.ca where you can e-mail your Member of Parliament, asking for their support of Bill C-218: The Right to Recover Act before the anticipated vote in the House of Commons in mid-April 2026.

     

  3. St. Andrew’s Cathedral is seeking a full-time Office Assistant to provide comprehensive administrative and clerical support to the parish.  They are looking for someone with a welcoming attitude and eye for detail, who can comfortably prioritize duties and work diligently under pressure. A detailed position description is available on the St. Andrews website at:  https://www.standrewscathedral.com/post/office-assistant-position
     

  4. The final video from the video series Journey through Lent is now available. This series was designed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to help the faithful prepare for the Church’s celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday. To view the videos, please visit: https://www.cccb.ca/evangelization-catechesis-catholic-education/video-resources/journey-through-lent/

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March 19, 2026

1) Everyone is invited to join in the celebration of the Chrism Mass on Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 pm.  At this yearly liturgy, sacred oils are blessed and given to representatives from each parish in the diocese.  These will be presented in each church on Holy Thursday and used during the coming year for Baptisms, Confirmations, and Anointings of the Sick. This year’s Chrism Mass will be celebrated at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria (740 View Street), and also livestreamed at  https://youtube.com/live/4CstVRsmU_A

 

2) All are invited to join Katesismong Pilipino for a Filipino Mass on March 29 at 7:00 pm at St. Patrick’s Parish in Victoria (2060 Haultain St).  This Eucharistic celebration will commemorate Palm Sunday, remembering Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and marking the beginning of Holy Week.

 

3) New videos are now available in the Journey through Lent video series.  This series was designed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to help the faithful prepare for the Church’s celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday.  To view the videos, please visit:https://www.cccb.ca/evangelization-catechesis-catholic-education/video-resources/journey-through-lent/


4) Rachel’s Vineyard on Vancouver Island is offering a safe and confidential retreat from September 11-13, 2026, for women and men seeking healing and peace after abortion. To learn more or register, please email  rachelsvineyardvancouverisland@gmail.com.

 

5) All are invited to join Fr. William Hann for the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, at 11:00 am at Mount Tolmie.  The Way of the Cross will begin at the bottom of the hill (Cedar Hill Cross Rd at Gordon Head Rd).  For more information, including a map and the meditations that will be used, please visit  www.rcdvictoria.org/stations

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March 12, 2026

1) Amanda Achtman’s “Dying to Meet You: A Tour of Hope” has now concluded.  Recordings of two of the tour events are available online:

Thank you to everyone who helped organize her visit, and to everyone who attended.

 

2) On March 20 or 21, all are invited to participate in “Building Bridges Through Understanding the Village”.  During this experiential workshop, participants explore their own role in supporting the revival of the values that have worked in Indigenous villages for thousands of years.  The workshop is done from a non-blame and non‐shame perspective and invites all participants to become a part of the healing that is already happening.  For more information and to register, please contact the host parish of the event you want to attend:

 

3) March 22 is Solidarity Sunday, an opportunity to support Development and Peace – Caritas Canada in its work with the poorest and most marginalized of our human family.  Bishop Gary has written a letter to the people of the Diocese of Victoria, encouraging all to embody Christ’s love through generosity and solidarity.  To read Bishop Gary’s letter, please visit https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/bishop-gary-gordons-message-for-share-lent-2026

 

4) Everyone is invited to join in the celebration of the Chrism Mass on Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 pm.  At this yearly liturgy, sacred oils are blessed and given to representatives from each parish in the diocese.  These will be presented in each church on Holy Thursday and used during the coming year for Baptisms, Confirmations, and Anointings of the Sick. This year’s Chrism Mass will be celebrated at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria (740 View Street), and also livestreamed at  https://youtube.com/live/4CstVRsmU_A

 

5) New videos are now available in the Journey through Lent video series.  This series was designed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to help the faithful prepare for the Church’s celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday.  To view the videos, please visit: https://www.cccb.ca/evangelization-catechesis-catholic-education/video-resources/journey-through-lent/

 

6) All are invited to attend a Lenten Reconciliation Service on Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 pm at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Victoria (753 Burnside Rd W).  Priests from various parishes in the diocese will be in attendance to hear confession. We hope you will take this opportunity to let Jesus meet you with His mercy, healing, and love.

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February 27, 2026

) Amanda Achtman will be visiting the Diocese from February 26 – March 8 to present Dying to Meet You: A Tour of Hope.  Find the full schedule of events here:https://www.rcdvictoria.org/events/dying-to-meet-you

 

Ahead of the tour, the Diocese is seeking input from parishioners. All are encouraged to participate in this short survey: https://forms.gle/8QRGCnUcGMQcyvKo9 

 

2) St. Francis Xavier Parish in Mill Bay will be presenting the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Horizons of Hope: A Toolkit for Catholic Parishes on Palliative Care on Thursdays in March, starting March 5 at 2:00 pm.  For more information and to register, please email sfx@rcdvictoria.org or call 250-743-1688.

 

3) In the spirit of Lent and Truth and Reconciliation, the CWL of Sacred Heart Parish invites parishioners to participate in a KAIROS Blanket Exercise on Saturday, March 7, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm in the parish hall. This powerful, interactive experience explores 500 years of historic and present-day relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, guided by trained facilitators. A coffee break and a reflective debrief in a talking circle will follow.  For more information, please contact Margie Noonan at margielnoonan@gmail.com  or 250-589-6313.

 

4) Join the 40 Days for Life campaign to support mothers and children by praying and fasting for an end to abortion. All are welcome to participate in the local vigil at the Helmcken Road Overpass from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm daily, February 18 – March 29. To learn more or sign up for prayer times, please visit: https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/victoriabc

 

5) The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops continues to offer their Journey through Lent video series.  It is hoped that this video series will provide the faithful with additional opportunity to prepare for the Church’s celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday.  To view the videos, please visit: https://www.cccb.ca/evangelization-catechesis-catholic-education/video-resources/journey-through-lent/

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February 19, 2026

1) The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is hosting a series of videos for Lent titled Journey Through Lent. This series is meant to offer spiritual inspiration and guidance on how to prepare well for the Easter season. New videos will be released each week, you can watch the series here: https://www.cccb.ca/evangelization-catechesis-catholic-education/video-resources/journey-through-lent/

 

2) A reminder that the schedule for Dying to Meet You: A Tour of Hope with Amanda Achtman is now available on the Diocesan website. Find the full schedule of events taking place from February 26 to March 8, 2026, here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/events/dying-to-meet-you

 

Ahead of the tour, the Diocese is also seeking input from parishioners. All are encouraged to participate in this short survey: https://forms.gle/8QRGCnUcGMQcyvKo9 

 

Please note: For any future News from the Chancery additions, please send directly to communications@rcdvictoria.org.

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February 12, 2026

1) The schedule for Amanda Achtman’s Dying to Meet You: A Tour of Hope in the Diocese of Victoria is now available on the Diocesan website. Amanda is the Director of Ethics for Physicians for Life and the founder of Dying to Meet You, where she explores questions of death and dying through storytelling, beauty, and a deeply hopeful vision rooted in the dignity of the human person. Find the full schedule of events taking place from February 26 to March 8, 2026, here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/events/dying-to-meet-you-a-tour-of-hope  

 

The Diocese of Victoria is seeking input in advance of the Dying to Meet You tour. All are welcome to participate:https://forms.gle/8QRGCnUcGMQcyvKo9  

 

2) The Correctional Service Canada (CSC) Bridges of Canada Inc. is hiring a full-time Correctional Chaplain in the Pacific Region for 125-165 hours per month (subject to change based on monthly requirements). The Correctional Chaplain will be responsible for providing religious and spiritual services to federal offenders of all faiths residing in William Head Institution. Find the full job description here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/employment 

 

3) The Diocese of Victoria is offering a two-day marriage preparation course over Zoom on April 17 from 7 pm–10 pm and April 18 from 9 am–4 pm. Open to all, this course provides essential guidance for couples preparing for marriage. A joint Certificate of Completion will be issued upon completion of both sessions. Please register by April 2 here: https://zoom-spring-2026-marriage-prep.eventbrite.ca  

 

4) The Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued a statement strongly supporting Private Member’s Bill C-218, which seeks to prevent persons whose sole medical condition is mental illness from accessing euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (“MAiD”). Please find the full statement here: https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/cccb-statement-on-bill-c-218-no-maid-for-mental-illness/  

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February 5, 2026

1) Bishop Gary Gordon has written a Pastoral Letter to the people of the Diocese announcing the questions for the 2026 Diocesan Permanent Pastoral Synod cycle and inviting all to participate. The Bishop encourages the faithful to reflect, pray, and engage in this important process. Please find his letter here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/bishops-february-dpps-2026-pastoral-letter 

 

2) Bishop Gary Gordon has shared a Message of Gratitude for the 2025 Bishop’s Appeal, thanking the faithful for their prayers, generosity, and love for the Church. Through this collective support, the Appeal not only reached its $900,000 goal but was blessed with over $1,000,000 in gifts. Please find his message here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/bishop-gary-gordons-message-of-gratitude-for-the-2025-bishops-appeal 

 

3) The Rite of Election Mass will take place on February 22, 2026, at 2:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. During this liturgical rite, catechumens—those preparing to join the Church through baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist at Easter—are presented to the Bishop. All are welcome to participate in person or via the livestream at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c1_0CETMyw 

 

4) In the spirit of Lent and Truth and Reconciliation, the CWL of Sacred Heart Parish invites parishioners to participate in a KAIROS Blanket Exercise on Saturday, March 7, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm in the parish hall. This powerful, interactive experience explores 500 years of historic and present-day relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, guided by trained facilitators. A coffee break and a reflective debrief in a talking circle will follow; for more information, please contact Margie Noonan at margielnoonan@gmail.com or 250-589-6313.

 

5) Mount Joy in Sooke is hosting a residential icon-writing retreat led by Kathleen van der Sande from March 16–21, 2026 (Monday to Saturday). Participants will learn the spiritual and artistic tradition of Eastern Church iconography through guided instruction and hands-on egg tempera painting, completing an icon of Mary, Mother of God, in a setting of prayer, silence, and community. No artistic experience is required; the cost is $585 and includes five nights’ accommodation, meals, and all supplies. For more information or to register, please contact Anna-Marie and Barnabas Ney at mountjoyretreats@gmail.com. Registration deadline is March 9, 2026.

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January 29, 2026

1) Catholic Schools’ Week – Feb 1-7, 2026

Today marks the beginning of Catholic Schools’ Week (CSW).  The theme this year is Living, Celebrating, and Proclaiming Our Faith.  Each and every year, Catholic schools join together to share a message about the importance and value of Catholic education to the Church and society as a whole. For those that are not aware, there are five Catholic Schools in the Diocese (4 elementary and 1 high school) educating approximately 1610 students in the communities of Port Alberni, Duncan and Victoria.  On behalf of all the Catholic schools in the diocese, thank you for your ongoing support whether that be through prayer, time, talent or treasure.  This week also marks the beginning of registration time for the 2026-2027 school year.  We invite you and your family to consider registering your children in one of our Catholic schools.  We remain grateful for your prayers as we live our faith through this dynamic ministry.

 

2) Pope Leo XIV has released a message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, which will be celebrated on Wednesday, 11 February 2026. His message offers a reflection on the theme “The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing another’s pain.”

Read Pope Leo’s message here: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/sick/documents/20260113-messaggio-giornata-malato.html

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3) Find resources for World Day of the Sick from the Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishop’s here: https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/pope-leos-message-for-the-34th-world-day-of-the-sick-11-february-2026/   

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January 22, 2026

1) All are invited to join Catholic schools across Vancouver Island in celebrating Catholic Schools Week from February 1–7, 2026. This year’s theme, "Living, Celebrating, and Proclaiming Our Faith," highlights the vibrant role of Catholic education in nurturing faith-filled communities. Information about events can be found on the events page athttps://www.rcdvictoria.org/events/february-1-7-catholic-schools-week or by visiting your local Catholic school’s website: https://cisdv.bc.ca/schools/ 

 

3) The next application deadline for the local Indigenous Reconciliation Fund is coming up on February 15. Indigenous groups from Vancouver Island and the surrounding islands are invited to apply for funding for projects that foster good medicine for people harmed by the legacy of residential schools. For more information and the application package, please visithttps://www.rcdvictoria.org/irf or call 250-800-3167. ​

 

December 11, 2025

1) In celebration of the Jubilee of Hope declared by Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV gifted 62 cultural artifacts from the Vatican Museums’ Anima Mundi collection to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, for immediate transfer to Indigenous communities in Canada. Learn more about the return of these artifacts: https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/vatican-artifacts-return-to-canada/ 

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2) Our next series of online Pastoral Care Outreach Training sessions will be held on Saturday mornings from 9:30 – noon, starting January 24 and running until March 28 (with no session on March 7).  We ask again for your help in promoting the sessions. 

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November 13, 2025

1) The Diocese of Victoria Health Care Committee has released two resources for families before and after a loved one dies and enters eternal life. A limited number of copies will soon be available at your parish offices upon request. Digital and downloadable copies of the A Catholic Perspective: What Family Members Need to Know Before and After a Loved One Enters Eternal Life resources are available on the Diocesan website here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/care-of-the-dying ​

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October 23, 2025

1) Rachel’s Vineyard on Vancouver Island offers safe and confidential retreats for women and men seeking healing and peace after abortion. To learn more, please email rachelsvineyardvancouverisland@gmail.com or visit https://www.rachelsvineyardvanisland.org/ ​

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October 16, 2025

1) On 9 October 2025, Pope Leo XIV released his first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te (“I have loved you”), a reflection on the Church’s call to care for the poor. In this document, Pope Leo XIV invites the faithful to recognize the love of Christ made visible through love for the poor—by caring for the sick, opposing slavery, defending women who face exclusion and violence, ensuring access to education, accompanying migrants, practicing generous charity, and working for equality in all its forms. Read the full Dilexi te here: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20251004-dilexi-te.html 

 

Read Pope Leo XIV’s accompanying letter to the Bishops of the world here: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2025/10/09/251009i.html ​​​​​

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May 8, 2025

We rejoice in the announcement of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, who has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church as the Successor of St. Peter. 

 

Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, was elected the 267th pope on May 8, 2025. He now takes on the sacred responsibility of shepherding the faithful around the world.

 

Please keep Pope Leo XIV in your prayers as he begins his ministry, asking the Holy Spirit to guide him with wisdom, compassion, and courage. May his papacy be blessed with peace and unity for the Church and the world.​

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February 20, 2025

1) The Catholic Bishops of British Columbia have released a Pastoral Letter on Catholic Schools that highlights Catholic education's key role in evangelization and whole-person formation. It calls for Catholic schools to maintain their identity, integrate faith with learning, and work with families, educators, and pastors to build a Christ-centred community serving both students and society. The letter may be read online at: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/pastoral-letter-on-catholic-schools

2) The Vatican has released Antiqua et Nova, a document on the relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence. It highlights the distinction between AI and human intelligence and calls for ethical guidelines to ensure AI respects human dignity and serves the common good. To read the full document, please visit:https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20250128_antiqua-et-nova_en.html ​

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February 13, 2025

The national Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) has released Sacred Fire Stories, a powerful new video highlighting inspiring stories of hope from IRF-funded projects. Watch the video here to see the meaningful impact the IRF is making in Indigenous communities: https://irfund.ca/en/welcome/ 

The first project featured is from our own Diocese—the Michif Language Revitalization Circle (MLRC), which supports Métis in reclaiming self-identity through learning the Michif language. As a reminder, the next application deadline for the local Indigenous Reconciliation Fund is coming up on February 15. For more information and the application package, please visit https://www.rcdvictoria.org/irf or call 250-800-3167​​

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August 17th, 2023

1) A post has just been added to the Diocesan website with photos from our delegation’s pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2023.  The post can be viewed at https://www.rcdvictoria.org/diocesanblog/world-youth-day-2023.

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The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has released four Pastoral Letters – to the First Nations, the Métis, the Inuit, and the People of God. The Bishops of Canada decided to write these letters after being updated on discussions with Indigenous partners during their plenary meeting last September.  They outline a set of specific commitments which are meant to guide local reconciliation.

These letters can be viewed at: https://www.cccb.ca/indigenous-peoples/that-we-may-walk-together-series-of-pastoral-letters-2023/

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Working Towards Freedom: Study guide on human trafficking now available

“Working Toward Freedom” is a new study guide created in response to a call to mission: to reduce the harms of human trafficking in our local communities and uphold the dignity of every child of God.

The guide was developed jointly by the Diocese of Victoria, the Archdiocese of Vancouver, and the Diocese of Saskatchewan. Based on the CCCB's recent Pastoral Letter on Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation in Canada, it delves deeper into the letter and animates it in each specific community's context.  Through prayer and education, the guide leads participants to become more aware of the human trafficking that is occurring in our midst, and helps them learn how to bring to light situations where people may be in danger.  The authors of the guide are Evelyn Vollet, Sr. Nancy Brown, Barbara Renaud, Myron Rogal and Annette Turgeon.

The guide will be launched this month with a one-hour webinar.  All are invited to join and learn more about the guide, either on Thursday, November 24 at 9:00 am PST, or on Saturday, November 26 at 10:00 am PST.  The webinar will provide an overview of each section and recommendations on how to use the guide.  The webinar is free, but advance registration is required at https://form.jotform.com/222704961965262.

Pope Francis describes the Church’s mission as a permanent state that calls us to go to the peripheries of society.  No one is exempt from being able to do something about this horrific crime taking place within our communities.  For more information, please contact Annette Turgeon at tcrmi1@telus.net.

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April 1, 2022

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a statement welcoming the apology made by Pope Francis today in Rome to Indigenous Peoples.  The statement can be read at https://www.rcdvictoria.org/indigenous/canadas-catholic-bishops-welcome-popes-apology-to-indigenous-peoples

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Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-Up by a Catholic Bishop

 

On Thursday, May 6, 2021, the Bishops of Canada launched a national, bilingual service for reporting situations of sexual abuse either committed or covered-up by a Bishop.  This service furthers their commitment to responsibility, accountability and transparency in matters of clergy sexual abuse and their commitment to facilitate healing and justice for victims-survivors.

 

Individuals can access the reporting system online (BishopReportingSystem.ca) or by calling toll-free 1-866-892-3737 from anywhere in Canada, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.

 

The reporting system was developed by ClearView Strategic Partners, a Canadian provider of an independent reporting platform.  ClearView’s technology benefits anyone wanting to make such a report by providing them with a secure and confidential platform, allowing them to remain anonymous if they so choose, and ensuring all communications are documented and preserved.

 

The Catholic Bishops of Canada condemn the sin and crime of sexual abuse in the strongest possible terms. No one should ever have to endure the pain, humiliation, and long-term suffering it causes, nor should anyone have to doubt that serious consequences await a perpetrator of sexual abuse or cover-up. With this reporting system, the Bishops make themselves accountable to live with integrity and to address reports of sexual abuse according to Church and civil law. The Church grieves with victim-survivors and profoundly regrets the tremendous harm caused. The Bishops of Canada wish to reach out and accompany victims-survivors along the path that restores justice and promotes healing.

 

Reports of current or historical sexual abuse by any other member of the Diocese of Victoria (clergy, religious, employees or volunteers) may be made by calling 1-800-968-3146.  This number connects to an independent reporting service which can assist in contacting the appropriate authorities and help access counselling services. For more information about Responsible Ministry and Safe Environment in the Diocese of Victoria, please visit https://www.rcdvictoria.org/responsible-ministry.

 

Thank you for your prayers and the support you provide to victim-survivors in the ongoing work of healing.

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