Bishop Remi: A Voice to Be Heard

Poetry

Bishop Remi: A Voice to Be Heard

Logan McMenamie, Anglican Bishop Emeritus, Vancouver Island

Volume 37  Issue 1, 2 & 3 | Posted: April 6, 2022

Anglican Bishop Logan McMenamie naming Bishop De Roo as an honourary officer of the Order of the Diocese of British Columbia. (Photo: copyright 2018 Kevin Doyle)

From Manitoba you came,
Priest and bishop,
Benjamin,
To the church,
Transformation,
Tables upset,
With grace and love,
Progressive,
Cathedral reflection,
University foretold,
Vatican II born!
Sisters and brothers,
Family strengthened,
Not profits or gain,
Human needs and pain,
Teacher,
Synod for all,
Consistent,
Refrain,
Borders reshaped,
Newness and reform,
Vatican II lives!
In the silence an echo heard,
A reformer speaks,
Those who have ears will hear,
Unsettled foundation,
Received compassion, Gentleness and calm,
Humility and grace,
The poor given,
New chance,
The voiceless speak,
Vatican II lives!

A voice of a prophet,
A voice of a pastor,
In every community,
On a national stage,
Social justice declared,
Fair practices proclaimed,
Ecumenical emissary,
Friend and mentor,
Communicator,
Justice and peace,
Vatican II lives!
National,
International,
Plane and car,
Boat and Canoe,
Community and Care,
Welcome and warm,
Liturgy,
Renewal,
Form and function,
Walls removed,
Vatican II lives!
Today we say,
Goodbye and thanks,
For all you gave,
All you were,
For courage,
A voice leading,
Reforming,
Reshaping,
Renewing,
Community,
Church,
Because of you,
Vatican II lives!

   

Logan McMenamie, Anglican Bishop Emeritus, Vancouver Island