Trailblazing ecumenist Fr. Bernard de Margerie remembered for humility, persistence, hospitality

St. Thomas More College mourns the loss of our friend and noted ecumenist, Fr. Bernard de Margerie.

Fr. Bernard passed away peacefully on Sunday morning. Words cannot fully describe the impact Fr. Bernard has had on the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, the ecumenical movement in Canada, and our community here at St. Thomas More College. Fr. Bernard dedicated his life and ministry to building bridges across divided Christian communities. His spirit of humble service, gentle humour, and persistent effort taught us how to live out a “hospitable Catholicism” and live more fully “in God’s reconciling grace.”

Known by the nickname “Bon” to many, Fr. Bernard was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on June 1, 1958, in his home parish of Saint-Philippe-Néri in Vonda, SK. He pursued further theological studies at the Canadian College in Rome and his priesthood was deeply shaped by the Second Vatican Council. It was then that he heard the call to dedicate his life and ministry to the work of Christian Reconciliation.

Known for his humility, Fr. Bernard returned to the Diocese of Saskatoon where he served in 12 different parishes, taught Latin, French, and Religion at St. Paul’s High School, and served as a hospital chaplain. He worked diligently to build ecumenical relationships and established the Saskatoon Centre for Ecumenism (later the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism) in 1984. He served as its director for 10 years.

In 2013, St. Thomas More College, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, and the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism began hosting the De Margerie Ecumenical Lecture Series. At the opening of this lecture series, Nick Jesson, then the Ecumenical Officer for the Diocese of Saskatoon, reminded the audience that:

"Fr. Bernard has taught us at least three things about ecumenism: that the heart of the ecumenical movement is prayer; that the ecumenical movement is an ecclesial movement, a movement of the churches not just of individuals; and that Christ is the focus of the ecumenical movement. Each of these ideas, drawn from Vatican II, has given direction and significance to Bernard’s ministry among us."

In 2014, Fr. Bernard published, In God’s Reconciling Grace: Prayer and Reflection Texts for Christian Reconciliation and Unity. In his introduction, he wrote that the collection “…is intended as an aid to help Christians to meditate and pray earnestly for the healing of divisions between Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, Evangelical, and other communities, according to the will and prayer of Christ....The favourable time, the time of grace, is Now!"

Fr. Bernard shepherded the dream of ecumenical healing throughout his ministry. He never let go of the vision of an ecumenical spring that would allow for the fullness of Christ’s message to be proclaimed. We pray that we may continue Fr. Bernard’s legacy, having learned from him the power of gentle bridge-building and humble, persistent, hospitality. In the joy of the Resurrection, may he know fully the reconciling grace for which he so yearned.

From the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon:

In a message to the diocese, Bishop Mark Hagemoen said: "We join together in prayer for Rev. Bernard De Margerie, and for his family and our diocese at this time. We also hold in prayer the many people who are grieving his passing who have been affected by his life and ministry over the years."

Details are still forthcoming about Fr. Bernard's funeral (tentatively planned for Monday, March 18 at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon).

Let us pray: "Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Fr. Bernard rest in the Peace and Light of Christ."

In his own words.

In 2009, Rev. Dr. Jan Bigland-Pritchard interviewed Fr. de Margerie about his life serving the cause of ecumenism. Listen to the interview here:

https://ecumenism.net/2009/08/bernard_de_margerie_a_life_in_ecumenism.htm