David McCann, a well-known figure in False Creek South and Granville Island, is truly a man with a mission.

As revealed in a recent Facebook post, David has requested – and accepted – an invitation to an upcoming meeting at the Vatican to address for the role of the Church in the physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children.

He will fly to Rome in late May.

In an email to the False Creek South Neighbourhood Association, David said “I am going to Rome to ask Pope Francis to issue an apology to all Canadians for the abuse children and adults suffered at the hands of religious orders and clergy, and for the devastating effects that abuse has had on the victims, their families and our society at large.

“Abuse most often happens in isolation; however, the effects of the abuse continue to ripple through families and our society.

“We have paid incredible emotional, financial and social costs as a result.”

Himself a victim of such abuse at the age of 12, David said that he has long forgiven his abuser.

“But”, he added in his Facebook post, “apologies have the power to heal wounded souls and mend broken hearts.

“Apologies can rekindle hope and love – and they can foster forgiveness and understanding.”

The invitation to the Vatican came from the Pope’s representative in Canada who read, in translation, a letter that he said was written by Pope Francis himself.

Almost immediately thereafter, David received a call from the office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Jody Wilson-Raybould, who said that her office would like to work with him and that Prime Minister Trudeau is to meet with Pope Francis at the end of May, also to discuss a public apology for institutional abuse.

“In this, Canada’s sesquicentennial year”, David concluded, “ I can think of no greater gift that could be given to Canadians by the Church than a message of reconciliation, healing, and hope.”

(For a detailed account of David’s mission, see:

https://nicole-crescenzi.com/2017/05/03/canadian-man-heads-to-rome-seeking-apology-from-pope-francis/)

David McCann has been a delegate to the False Creek South Neighbourhood Association from the Greater Vancouver Floating Home Co-op at Spruce Harbour. He has also served as Association treasurer and was an early and generous supporter of the FCSNA’s successful refugee sponsorship efforts.