For two decades Rev. Jim Holland, 73, has delivered the word of God inside Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples— a place of solace for many seeking a quiet break from street life.
Now, the word of God, coming from the Oblates of Lacombe province in the Catholic Church, has told Father Jim, as he’s affectionately known, he has to leave the parish.
The reason? Father Jim isn’t sure.
“They basically told me they were removing me.”
For years, Father Jim has worked hard helping the homeless, people struggling with addictions and those grappling with the toll of residential schools.
He called the church’s decision to remove him disrespectful and insensitive.
“The oblates were involved in residential schools,” said Father Jim. “They should be sensitive to that issue, and they should handle it quite differently.
“You don’t just yank somebody out and put somebody else in without a plan. They have no plan.
“I’m more than just their priest, I don’t think they even look at me as an oblate. I’m part of their family I’ve buried the people, I’ve married them, I’ve baptized them.”
Father Mark Blom with the Oblates of Lacombe defended the decision, saying pastors typically stay in parishes three to six years, and that the church is moving towards creating a team approach in parishes, with a group of oblates leading the church instead of just one.
“Being very conscious of the effect our presence and work has on different individuals and communities, we have tried to make decisions that will help us be more true to our calling to be an apostolic community,” Blom wrote in a statement.
CBC reached Father Jim in South Carolina, where he’s visiting friends and reflecting on his next steps. If he absolutely must leave Sacred Heart, he said he’ll take a sabbatical year in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.
Petition from the parishoners
Meanwhile, back here at home, his parishoners are organizing for him.
More than 800 people have signed a petition to keep the popular pastor as their spiritual leader.
“It feels like instead of promoting him …they are punishing him,” said Edda Chiusa, who is helping gather signatures.
The petition references the negative impacts of residential schools and how they created a “deep rift” in aboriginal people’s faith in the Catholic Church.
“Father Jim Holland, however, has been the catalyst for restoring the Christian faith,” it goes on to say, adding that his removal will have “negative consequences” to the Catholic Church in Edmonton.
Father Jim said he’s flabbergasted by the outpouring of support to keep him in Edmonton. He’s also proud of the work he’s done at Sacred Heart; turning the church around financially as well as structurally, and building strong relationships with many cultures, specifically the First Nations community.
Chiusa said without him, the church will fall apart.
“They come here because Father Jim is here.”
Father Jim said he hopes the church heeds the petition and doesn’t send him to another parish, perhaps one in northern Saskatchewan.
The petition requests the Catholic Diocese of Edmonton to keep Father Jim as the pastor of Sacred Heart Church for a minimum of two years, to oversee and train his successors.
Father Jim said he’d pick that option over a sabbatical in Mexico, or a posting in rural Saskatchewan.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton said changes in priest appointments will be made public on May 25.
