He knows. He is in familiar territory. After all, Bishop Fred Henry, the outspoken leader of southern Alberta's Catholics, has been in this place before, a voice crying in a well-fed wilderness, a dissenter in a comfortable cocoon of conformity.
But this bishop has only done what he promised to do when he got the job and came to this city from Thunder Bay.
He vowed to mix it up, to slam the sanctity of the status quo when re-quired. And he has, taking on a popular premier, criticizing corporate greed, defending the rights of workers.
For this, and other supposed sins against the powerful, Bishop Fred has inflamed the high and the mighty, while others have called him a meddlesome priest, a leftie loony and other nasty names I simply cannot print in this family newspaper.
Through it all, the controversial cleric says he's an optimist, but also a realist.
This day, the bishop welcomes those who would peacefully protest at the G-8 summit. He attacks those who would automatically turn activists into adversaries, who would dismiss all criticism of the way things are without even looking at the facts.
He even says Mayor Dave Bronconnier is out of line for "drawing a line in the sand" against protesters.
"The mayor strengthened his position. It was popular. But I don't lead by taking a poll. I speak out for the most vulnerable. I have to do that," says Bishop Fred.
"What he did, in not welcoming people to our city, is an ill-advised strategy, locking us in a position with no negotiating room. My gosh, we have a real mess. Hopefully, it is not too late to find a way and means to extend our hospitality. Those who come should have a legitimate space. I was hoping for a little more long-range thinking from the city.
"I know my speaking out at this time is the politically incorrect thing to do here. But we should not equate activists with anarchists. I'm ready for the e-mails and the phone calls. I'll probably be burned again."
While he waits for the stake to be readied, Bishop Fred releases a statement about G-8 on behalf of all of this country's Catholic bishops.
They speak of the plight of the world's poor, especially in Africa. They greet those coming here for "encounters designed to foster the growth of social and environmental justice, peace and democracy."
The bishops, in the voice of Bishop Fred, continue.
"We appreciate the worldwide movements of so many thoughtful persons" who help develop "a planetary social conscience" through "educational meetings" and "colourful street demonstrations."
"Everyone has a role to play. every contribution is needed."
The church leaders call for peace, not violence "which cannot serve the cause of justice."
Bishop Fred then speaks, without text, of the need for a more equitable economic system, of the growing gap between rich and poor, of the importance of seeking justice and not settling for merely giving handouts.
"When I speak like this, I know my audience in this city narrows," admits the bishop, making reference to the uniquely corporate character of Calgary.
On this one, Bronconnier is NOT one of those in the bishop's audience. Bronco, who has already ruled city parks out-of-bounds to the activists, says the bishop is "a good man who means well."
But, Bronco calls the religious leader's remarks "surprising and unwarranted," while portraying the protesters' position as "unreasonable, unrealistic and unorganized."
"I am doing my job, protecting citizens of this city and their property. We aren't dropping everything to organize the protests for the protesters. We aren't trampling on everybody else's rights for them," says the mayor.
The bishop is undeterred in his mission. He continues to make his less popular case. As he always does.
"Our consciousness needs to be raised," says Bishop Fred.
"We ought to have an open mind."
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