The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, joins other residents of Toronto in mourning after a driver’s rampage that killed at least 10 people:
As Toronto weeps, we know so many others weep with us. As we turn to God for consolation, we know so many others turn with us and we are grateful.
To that day when violence shall no longer be heard and seen in our streets we look with hope; and for its coming let us pledge our best efforts so that the safety of all people, the freedom of our neighbourhoods, the peace of our cities can be secured.
For all whose life’s work is to “serve and protect” we give thanks for their commitment and courage. For all who inspire us in the labors of laying the foundations of that city whose architect and builder is God we also give thanks.
God our companion,
You inhabit the silence of meaningless pain
You breathe our wordless lament
You swallow the bitterness of our shock
Stay with us, Lord, and pray
God our heartbeat through day and night,
You give us the imagination of hope,
The grammar of love,
And the courage of calm
Stay with us Lord, and heal
God our fearlessness
In your image you have made us whole,
To wait with the suffering
And to tend the wounded
To break cycles of abuse and violence
With the boldness of compassion
Stay with us, Lord, and hope
For yours is the power and the glory,
Before, within, and after our grief
Now and forever. Amen.
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
