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New bishop ordained Bishop Reynald Rouleau says goodbye after 25 years
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, June 5, 2013
RANKIN INLET/NUNAVUT
Bishop Anthony Wieslaw Krotki was ordained as the new bishop of the Churchill-Hudson Bay diocese by outgoing Bishop Reynald Rouleau at the Church of Mary Our Mother in Rankin Inlet this past week.
Bishop Reynald Rouleau, right, congratulates Bishop Anthony Wieslaw Krotki before officially ordaining him as the new Bishop of Churchill -Hudson Bay diocese in Rankin Inlet on May 30, 2013. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
Krotki, 49, said he looks at his new position as a challenge and a continuation.
He said it's a challenge because, even when you work 22 years in the diocese, you're never close enough to the bishop to know what his job is.
"You call him when you need something done, but you never really sit in his seat or know how he's driving the organization," said Krotki.
"I definitely want to continue the goodness that's been placed during the 25 years of Rouleau's work.
"Some decisions he made were extremely difficult, and I will have those decisions to make, as well."
Krotki spent 14 years in Iglulik and eight in the Kitikmeot region.
He has travelled to numerous communities to become familiar with most of the territory.
Krotki said it's important he gets to know the people he meets in Nunavut.
He said knowing a person goes far beyond saying hello when you see them.
"When you know a person, communication develops and you become almost dependant upon them.
"You really want to keep that communication because you need that friendship and relationship.
"Maybe because that's how I was formed by God, but, whether positive or sad, I'm very sensitive to people's lives.
"So I'm always eager to know what a person's life truly is, not just what it looks like."
Krotki said he looks forward to meeting with Inuit church leaders to ask what they expect from the church toward their community, family life and social issues they face.
He said whatever decision has to be made, he will do it in a communicative way with the people.
"It's the love people carry, not always the love expressed, that makes me want to stay in the North.
"The love people have inside and what makes them the way they are, that's what makes me want to be part of life in the North.
"Everyone needs to be loved deep inside and, when you get that, you follow after it and make sure you don't lose it because it keeps you alive.
"I need the people so I can do things for them."
At the age of 77, Rouleau is at peace with his decision to retire from his post of the past 25 years as the Bishop of the Churchill-Hudson Bay diocese.
The diocese covers almost all of Nunavut, with a Roman Catholic Church in 16 communities.
Rouleau said while he was based in Churchill, Man., he really only spent about 20 per cent of his time there.
He said he visited each of the Nunavut communities almost every year.
"Part of my heart will always be in Nunavut, which, to me, is the people," said Rouleau.
"The people were here before all the buildings and organizations.
"The connectedness is what is most important in my life, and I'm quite glad I spent 25 years here."
Rouleau said the best advice he could give to incoming Krotki, based on his experience, is connecting with the people is of prime importance.
He said having that connectedness will lay the foundation for everything to follow.
"He's (Krotki) been in the North for more than 20 years, so he will connect with the people well, living intensely in a place where, most of the time, the celebrations we have are most important, as well as sessions of formation; meeting with the Inuit leaders of the diocese.
"These bring life, hope, confidence and gratitude.
"The challenges I saw 25 years ago are almost the same today - in whether Inuit will keep their language, culture and the way they see life.
"We will never be finished here with the formation of our leaders, which I still see as our first priority."
Rouleau pauses when asked how he hopes people will remember him.
After quiet reflection, he said he hopes he's remembered for his sincerity in trying to do the best he could with what he knew.
"Maybe someone else would have seen things differently, but I supported the leaders in our church as best I could.
"The leaders in our church, normally, also lead elsewhere, especially within the community and with the wellness of Inuit in Nunavut.
"I hope people will realize I did my best and lived intensely during these years.
"And, I hope the presence of the priest and the leaders will be maintained and continue to bring life to the people."
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