# INSTALLATION OF ARCHBISHOP RICHARD SMITH

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2025/05/installation-of-archbishop-richard-smith/
- Published: 2025-05-24T22:16:56-07:00
- Author: Website

![](https://abbotsford.nweparchy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/smith-2025.jpg)

Once again, as huge as Vancouver’s Cathedral is, it was filled, but only with a 
fraction of those who would have wanted to attend in person. **[Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Cathedral](https://www.holyrosarycathedral.org/)**
was the site for the Installation Mass of the newly appointed Archbishop **[Richard Smith](https://caedm.ca/Archbishop/)**.
However, only those who were able to obtain an entrance pass, in advance, were able
to enter the church. Even then, a great deal of bishops, priests, religious sisters
and lay faithful were thrilled to be present at the historic and profoundly spiritual
event.

Thanks to the Cathedral’s livestreaming, thousands more were able to at least participate
online. See Installation ceremony and Mass **[****[HERE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lng0muLufB0)****].**

Archbishop Smith is the 12th bishop to be appointed to the see of Vancouver. Since
1863, before [Canadian Confederation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Confederation),
a bishop has been leading the work of the Church in the Vancouver area. Today the
[Archdiocese has grown](https://rcav.org/about/archdiocesan-information) and flourished
into an amazing space where the ministry of the Church is served by so many parishes,
health institutions, schools, religious orders and clergy – all dedicated to living
the Gospel way of life.

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The **[Apostolic Nuncio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuncio)** to Canada, His 
Excellency Archbishop **[Ivan Jurkovič](https://www.nuntiatura.ca/en/apostolic-nuncio/)**,
initiated the installation ceremony by bringing greetings and leading the various
rituals, including the presenting of the bishop’s crosier. His Eminence Cardinal**
[Gérald Lacroix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%A9rald_Lacroix)**, the [Primate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primate_(bishop))
of Canada and the Archbishop of Quebec, was also present for this special event.
After the installation, Archbishop Smith led the congregation in the Eucharistic
Liturgy. During his homily and concluding remarks, Archbishop Smith inspired those
gathered with his renewed commitment to the apostolic and evangelical mission of
the Church and his clear invitation to all to join with him on the journey. Typical
of his wit and jocularity was his comment after thanking Cardinal Lacroix for making
the long journey to the west coast after having spent so much time at the conclave
and electing **[Pope Leo XIV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Leo_XIV)**. He 
brought the house down, when he added, “Good job, by the way!”.

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Another heartwarming and poignant moment occurred when Archbishop Smith thanked 
his predecessor, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, and the entire congregation went 
into a very long standing ovation that served as an outpouring of gratitude and 
esteem. He was truly a loved pastor and will be greatly missed.

Clergy and sisters and others from the **[Eparchy of New Westminster](https://ugcc.ua/en/eparchies/eparchy-of-new-westminster-34/)**,
particularly chancery staff, were also in attendance. **Bishop ****[Michael Kwiatkowski](https://abbotsford.nweparchy.ca/bishop-elect-michael-kwiatkowski/)**
together with two other Bishops who came to Vancouver for the event – **Bishop ****
[David Motiuk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Motiuk)** of Edmonton a longtime
friend of the Archbishop, who collaborated with him for many years in Edmonton, 
and **Bishop ****[Bryan Bayda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Bayda)** from
Toronto, represented the Ukrainian Catholic hierarchy in Canada.

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This was an event that brought great hope to the Church on Canada’s west coast. 
Since the selection of Mattias in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:26), the Church
has been replenishing episcopal positions and expanding the number of bishops to
tend to the ever-growing flock of Christ throughout the world. On that Friday evening,
those at the cathedral in downtown Vancouver were witnesses to this ongoing vibrant
life of the Catholic Church. The former Archbishop together with the representative
of successor of the Apostle Peter saw new Archbishop to his **[cathedra](https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/Cathedra)**,
handed him his shepherd’s staff. The flock _recognized his voice_ (John 10:1-5),
welcomed him and pledged their prayer and support. The mission of the Church continues(
Mattew 28:19-20).