The Primate’s Commission on Discovery, Reconciliation and Justice recently met in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land. The Rev. Vincent Solomon met with us to tell about reconciliation efforts in the diocese. Later, the Rt. Rev. Donald Phillps met with us to share more good news in the diocese. He shared the following Litany for Healing and Restoration of Our Church. We are making this available for use in your church on the National Aboriginal Day Prayer.
Message from the Bishop:
Dear worship leaders: Our fall 2016 Diocesan Synod passed this resolution (B-14): Call to intentional acts of corporate repentance in the year 2017. Resolved that throughout the liturgical year beginning in Advent 2016, as we confess our sins before God in our corporate prayer, (especially during the penitential seasons of the Church) we, in our individual parishes, and in our diocesan gatherings, find intentional ways to bring forward, in repentance, our participation in the sins of colonization both historically and presently, asking for God’s mercy, forgiveness and transformative power to act in all our lives as we seek to be reconciled to one another and to participate in the redemption of the world.
There are a few of us charged with working on this. I am circulating the attached document: Litany for Healing and Restoration. You may choose to use it “as is”, or to use a portion of it for a specific purpose. For example the first section ending with the final response “Saviour, forgive and heal us.” could be used as a confession. The second section (“Hear us, O Christ”) could be used as supplication – something we are asking God’s grace to help us become/accomplish. It is not limited to use in Lent but may be particularly suitable for this season. In places where very little teaching or exposure to the issues indigenous peoples faced and continue to face in “colonial Canada” has gone on, it would be good to provide some basic education in these areas prior to using this prayer. If you have any questions or comments, please be in touch.
Blessings
+Donald
Donald Phillips, PhD
Resources
- Download the Litany for Healing and Restoration