Challenging historical notions about Indigenous people and religion in Canada

“In earnest, my dear brother, I am sorry for you from the bottom of my soul. Take my advice and turn Wendat; for I see plainly a vast difference between your condition and mine.”

That’s what Kondiaronk, a Wendat chief who lived from 1649-1701 in what is now Canada, said to a Frenchman when comparing his life, and religious beliefs, with those of the French.

 

Kondiaronk’s words, as recorded by Baron de Lahontan, challenge the old assertion that Europe and its religion was superior to the beliefs and way of life of Indigenous people—or that all Indigenous people felt that way.

 

Not even all of the French believed it. One missionary conceded there were aspects of Indigenous life that were superior to that of the French. “They have no lawsuits and take little pains to acquire the goods of this life, for which we Christians torment ourselves so much, and for our excessive and insatiable greed in acquiring them we are justly and with reason reproved by their quiet life and tranquil dispositions,” he wrote.

 

Read more about Kondiaronk, the French colonizers and religion in my Free Press column.

Photo above from Canadian Encyclopedia: Kondiaronk.

500 years ago, Anabaptists began to explore the meaning of true evangelical faith

Under cover of darkness, a dozen or so men quietly walked through the falling snow in Zurich, Switzerland, on Jan. 21, 1525. The winter wind seemed to match the chill in their hearts as they made their way through the narrow streets to the home of Anna Manz, mother of Felix. 

The city council had ordered them to stop meeting for Bible study. What should they do? 

Once inside, they prayed for guidance. When the prayers ended, George Blaurock, a former priest, asked Conrad Grebel to baptize him. Grebel did so, and Blaurock proceeded to baptize the others. 

The Anabaptist movement was born. 

When what they had done became known, the Bible study group was arrested and jailed. But as soon as they were released, they began to travel and preach. 

2025 is the 500^th anniversary of Anabaptism. Read my story about the start of the Anabaptist movement in Anabaptist World. Also read about the persecution of the early Anabaptists in my article here.

Photo above: The Limmat River in Zurich, Switzerland, birthplace of Anabaptism, where Felix Manz became the city’s first Anabaptist martyr, drowned in the river on Jan. 5, 1527.

Two retiring politicians, Liberal and Conservative, reflect on their faith and politics

Faith is not a component of my life. It’s just my life. I don’t separate them.” That’s how John McKay, 76, Liberal Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Guildwood, describes how his Christian faith impacted his work as a politician for the past 23 years.

 

Adds Ed Fast, 69, who represents Abbotsford, B.C., for the Conservative Party of Canada: “My faith forms every aspect of my life,” an MP for 19 years. “Everything I have done as a politician is rooted in my faith values.” 

McKay and Fast, who are both retiring from politics in 2025, reflect on how their faith influenced their lives as politicians in my article about them in the most recent issue of Faith Today.

Top religion stories 2024

What were the top religion stories in 2024? In Winnipeg, it was about calls to return the monument of the Ten Commandments to Assiniboine Park and about the premier’s decision to find a new prayer to open sessions of the Manitoba legislature — one that reflects and includes the views of Manitobans of all faiths, as well as atheists. 

Other things included the way religion affected the presidential vote in the U.S., the impact of the war in Gaza on interfaith relations in Canada and around the world, divisions in denominations over LGBTQ+, and more. 

Read about it in my latest Free Press column.

After 11 years as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, Richard Gagnon retiring

 

Richard Gagnon never intended to go into church ministry—he was happy working as a teacher. “I wasn’t looking for a change, but I felt there must be more he should be doing with my life, that I was meant for more than this,” he said. 

And now he is retiring as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, after 11 years in the city. Does he have any regrets? Only one, he said. “I regret running out of time to do all I want to do here,” he said. “There is so much more I want to do.” 

Read my story about Archbishop Gagnon in the Free Press.

“It’s more than a job. It’s a calling.” The importance of spiritual care at personal care homes

“It’s more than a job. It’s a calling.” That’s what Michelle Thiessen says about her work as a spiritual care provider at Holy Family Home for seniors in Winnipeg. Read the article in the Free Press here. 

And speaking of spiritual care, it’s a strong interest of mine. Spiritual care providers provide a valuable service to residents and staff alike at personal care homes, hospitals and other places. 

Over the years I’ve been able to do some stories about this important work, or about the importance of spirituality when it comes to overall health. These include: 

Spirituality vital to health care: Jane Philpott

Caring spirits: Winnipeggers provide guidance and solace as hospital patients and their families navigate life-changing challenges

Spiritual care practitioners providing critical support for health-care workers

Spiritual Care Helps Patients, Saves Money

In proclaiming Year of Jubilee, Pope Francis calls for debt forgiveness for the world's poorer nations

On Dec. 24, when Pope Francis opened the holy door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to launch the 2025 Year of Jubilee, he called on wealthy countries and institutions to practice Jubilee by reducing or cancelling the debts owed by the world’s poorer nations. 

In addition to that, he proposed the need for a new financial framework “lest this prove merely an isolated act of charity that simply reboots the vicious cycle of financing and indebtedness.” 

This new framework should be based on “solidarity and harmony between people,’’ he said, adding this growing debt “threatens the future of many nations.” 

In calling for debt relief for poorer countries, the Pope was taking seriously the biblical tradition of Jubilee, which comes from what Christians call the Old Testament of the Bible. 

Read about the Year of Jubilee and the biblical call for forgiveness of debts in my latest Free Press column.