Archbishop Blesses New VPD Boat

Clergy are often asked to bless various things: pets, homes, and symbolic gifts. It’s not often clergy might find themselves blessing a police boat. On October 1, Archbishop John Stephens blessed the R.G. McBeath, a 45 ft Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat joining the VPD Marine Unit's small fleet. 

Archbishop Stephens was invited to do the honours by Sergeant Darrin McDougall of the VPD’s Marine Unit. After the blessing, Joanne Watts - a donor who made the new boat possible with her family’s generous support - christened the boat by breaking a bottle of whisky over the bow. After the blessing and christening the archbishop and several of the invited guests were given a short ride on the R.G. McBeath , during which members of the marine unit showed off the vessel’s speed and agility.

You can view photos of the event here.