Bishop Gary Gordon and Takú. Photo: Fr Bernard Cotter. Gary Gordon has been Bishop of Victoria BC since 2014, having been in Whitehorse diocese (covering the Yukon territory and northern British Columbia) for eight years before that. His golden retriever brought its name Takú from a place in his first diocese. Both dog and owner were touched to hear that ‘ag tacú’ in our Irish language means giving help and support, because that is precisely what this lovely dog does.
Takú
Takú travels everywhere with Bishop Gary, riding alongside him in his pick-up truck. The dog is a familiar sight in each church, sacristy and rectory in the Diocese of Victoria (which covers all of Vancouver Island, roughly the size of Ireland) and is only banished to the cab of the truck while Mass is celebrated.
Bishop Gary appreciates Takú’s support, but so do many people in his diocese. The Tumbler Ridge school shooting in mainland British Columbia back in February caused much distress throughout Canada; the day following the event, Bishop Gary turned up at the local high school, with Takú in tow. Between his words and hugs from Takú, they brought much comfort to schoolchildren and staff alike.
Having a dog walk beside him underscores Bishop Gary’s leadership in Victoria; he is predominantly a pastor. People in many parishes experience this firsthand; when he is unable to provide a priest for a particular parish, the bishop ‘fills in’ as pastor, for as long as a year or two. This availability to help out at parish level is much appreciated in his diocese.
Often bishops find themselves pigeon-holed on the basis of whether they are liberal or conservative. In Bishop Gary’s case, different metrics apply. Those who work closely with him describe him as theologically conservative but ministerially progressive. This latter characteristic is seen in his willingness to appoint lay pastoral administrators to parishes in lieu of a resident priest, ministers who may then be retained as pastoral assistants if a cleric is appointed.
Spurs
Bishop Gary also obtains his spurs as a pastoral bishop when he celebrates the liturgy. Like most presiders in this diocese, he wears a radio mic on the altar. But when he preaches, he walks down the aisle, speaking directly to his flock. His words are simple, often challenging, but never harsh, always encouraging – and delivered with a smile. And in the sacristy and behind the scenes he is unfailingly courteous and kind, putting everyone around him at ease.
One incident during my stay in Victoria summed up his approach for me. A group of Irish Travellers turned up at the cathedral, seeking the sacraments for their children. The rector sought Bishop Gary’s advice, who met the Travellers and shared his faith with them. He decided to give them every sacrament they desired, knowing they would not stay long and mightn’t have the opportunity again. His years of closeness to and ministry among Canada’s First Nations ensure a level of flexibility appreciated by people on the edge of regular parish life. With Takú’s help.
Would you like to hear more about what life in Canada is like? Are you interested in my impressions of life here, how the Church operates, how the Diocese of Victoria copes with fewer than 20 priests for its 30 large parishes and missions – what its future holds? I’ll be writing a weekly ‘Letter from Canada’ in this newspaper from the next edition till the end of June, at the kind invitation of the Editor. If there’s anything about Canadian Catholic life that you’re particularly interested in, please email me your query to BCinBC26@gmail.com; thank you for your support.
Life in Victoria seems almost perfect, I wrote here last time, apart from one or two ‘elephants in the room’, both beginning with ‘E’. A one-in-a-century Earthquake would have a devastating impact on this idyll (due in the next 50 years), but another ‘E’ causes devastation every day: government-sponsored Euthanasia. The acronym MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) is familiar here, and fiercely opposed by Catholics, who see one in 20 lives thus ended. Because MAID is government-driven, it’s offered to every Canadian, whether they have registered their opposition to it or not. This subtle pressure is what riles believers most.