The rebuilding of a church in a remote community is a chance to build bridges, says Bishop Pierre-Olivier Tremblay.
The Diocese of Heart-Moosonee is using $3 million in insurance money to rebuild the church in Attawapiskat that burned down in April 2021.
This is an opportunity to strengthen relationships, said Bishop Pierre-Olivier Tremblay.
“There is a lot to unfold about our period in history in regards to how we treated the First Nations, and I’m very much involved in the will to go forward in truth and reconciliation and justice,” said Tremblay. “What is nice to hear from people is that we all need a spiritual space, a symbol, a place where we can go to to meditate, pray and rest.”
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The project is being funded through an insurance payment for the previous church. The new building will be smaller, but Tremblay said it will serve as a spiritual space for everyone in the community.
“They wanted a traditional church,” he said. “But the idea will be that inside the church there will be a lot of symbolism related to their spiritual traditions as well. I’m very hopeful about that, and it’s a very positive sign of reconciliation for the community.”
Tremblay has visited the community since taking his position as Bishop in August 2022 and is looking forward to working with the people in Attawapiskat.
“What I hear is that people are very happy about the project,” he said. “People felt like this is an important and beautiful symbol of reconstruction, of going forward for the whole community.”
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Employing local residents during the building process is a priority, said Tremblay.
“You have to bring all of the material up there, you can imagine the cost of the workers and everything involved,” he said. “It’s going to involve people inside the community for the building of the church.”
He said construction will start this coming summer, and the diocese hopes to have it completed in October.
