Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, issued the following statement on Nov. 12 following the death of former B.C. Premier John Horgan.
“I was saddened to learn of the passing of former B.C. Premier John Horgan. I know he was a man of faith, and I hold him in my prayers, trusting that he is embraced by God’s love. My condolences and prayers also go out to his family and friends during this time of loss.”
In his weekly Church for Vancouver blog, veteran faith writer Flyn Ritchie painted a picture of a leader who maintained open dialogue with faith communities while holding to the province’s secular nature.
Ritchie noted Archbishop Miller’s statement and detailed several key interactions between Horgan and faith communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Horgan participated in seven conference calls with religious leaders. While he expressed his appreciation for their co-operation during the pandemic, Ritchie noted that not all religious groups agreed with Horgan’s policies – particularly religious restrictions.
In February 2021, Archbishop Miller filed a petition in B.C. Supreme Court asking for an exemption from the government’s ban on public worship.
On May 27, 2021, the B.C. government released guidelines that allowed churches and other religious sites to allow up to 50 people indoors. On July 1, it lifted all pandemic restrictions on religious services.
“Some churches were quite critical of the province’s Covid restrictions,” wrote Ritchie. “When Horgan stepped down, Levi Minderhoud, ARPA Canada’s BC Manager, gave him a failing grade for his five years in office, saying, “The bottom line is that Horgan’s government did very little to steer British Columbia in a more God-honouring direction.”
Ritchie highlighted Horgan’s participation in the BC Leadership Prayer Breakfast, quoting religious scholar Jason Byassee’s observation that “Premier Horgan thanked us, sincerely, for the prayers for his health,” while noting the unique nature of such political-religious gatherings in secular British Columbia.
On education policy, Ritchie recalled Horgan’s consistent support for faith-based schools. In a 2017 letter to FISA BC, Horgan wrote, “B.C.’s New Democrats fully support a parent’s right to choose the education stream for their children, whether it be in independent, faith-based or public schools.”
That remained Horgan’s position while in office, Ritchie noted, while pointing out the NDP did reduce funding for independent online schooling.
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