Canada and the Holy See

Historical Background

The Catholic Church has had a representative, called an "Apostolic Delegate" in Canada since 1899. However, there were no formal relations with the Government of Canada until much later, although this representative was invited, for example, to the opening of Parliament along with the heads of the other churches in Canada, as a matter of courtesy. The "Holy See" obtained the status of a sovereign state with the Lateran Accords in 1929 signed with Italy. At this time the Holy See established a more formal "Apostolic Delegation" in Ottawa.

Following a meeting between Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau and His Holiness Pope Paul VI, the Government of Canada took the initiative of opening diplomatic relations with the Holy See on 15 October 1969. At that time the "Apostolic Delegation" became the Apostolic Nunciature (the Vatican equivalent of an Embassy). Canada became the 72nd country to establish diplomatic relations with the Holy See. In the course of the years since the opening of relations, Pope John Paul II first visited Canada in 1984. At that time, bad weather conditions made it impossible for him to undertake his planned visit to First Nations in Fort Simpson, thus the Pope took advantage of his trip to the USA in 1987 to complete this part of his first visit). Most recently he visited Toronto in July 2002 on the occasion of World Youth Day.

Bilateral Relations

The principal objective of our Embassy is to serve as a liaison with the Vatican on a broad range of questions of common concern and on the great global issues. These concern not only political, social and humanitarian problems but touch equally on such questions as development in the third world, Eastern Europe (where the Church has played a key role) and our participation in numerous international organizations, such as the United Nations and its numerous agencies, as well as the OSCE. Among global issues of concern at this Mission are human migration, bio-ethics and science, as well as the environment.

Role of the Canadian Embassy to the Holy See

Canada, through its Embassy to the Holy See can benefit from an informed and diverse reading of international events and socio-political analysis from a variety of sources. To this mix must be added the exchanges possible with other embassies accredited to the host country, which ensure greater objectivity, and a diversity of viewpoints. The Canadian Embassy to the Holy See provides the Vatican’s Secretariat of State with the Canadian view on international developments and advocates in favour of Canadian positions and interests. The Canadian position coincides with that of the Holy See on a wide variety of issues. The Anti-personnel mines file is a case in point. The Pope, was an early and enthusiastic supporter of the Treaty and ensured that the Holy See was among the first to sign and ratify the accord. The Holy See was active in its support for the measure and its moral suasion was a significant contribution to its success to date.

The role of the Embassy consists also of managing high level bilateral visits and special events. With regards to World Youth Day of 2002, held in Toronto, this mission had a key role in liaising with the Roman Curia on behalf of the Federal Coordinator in support of the Canadian National Organizing Committee headed by Father Thomas Rosica.