Statement from Archbishop Francis Leo re: Fire at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Toronto

In hearing news of the devastating fire that took place at the historic St. Anne’s Anglican Church on Gladstone Avenue in Toronto, the Most Rev. Francis Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto offered prayers on behalf of the Catholic community:

“St. Anne’s Church is a place where Christians have gathered for over a hundred years to worship and adore Jesus Christ. It was a marvelously constructed place of worship where people could pray to Our Lord while surrounded by beautiful and historic artwork – a place of refuge for believers in the heart of a large and busy city.

Today is indeed a very sad day and I wish to convey my sorrow, solidarity and my support to the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. To Bishop Andrew Asbil, St. Anne’s Rector Fr. Don Beyers, and the entire parish community of St. Anne’s, please be assured of my prayers at this difficult time.

Also greatly impacted by this horrific fire at St. Anne’s will be the thousands of people in the surrounding area who have come to rely on the generosity of this parish community in serving meals and caring for the less fortunate, various partners within the arts community, and the numerous other service groups and organizations that St. Anne’s is involved with.

Please know that everyone impacted by this fire will remain in the prayers of the faithful members of the Catholic community throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto today, the Lord’s Day, and in the days and weeks ahead.”