Prayers flow for CFB Wainwright dead, injured

Bishop Scott McCaig has offered up prayers for all responding to and devastated by the horrifying Oct. 17 grass fire at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainright that tragically killed four soldiers and hospitalized 39 other service members, 19 of those in critical condition. 

“My deepest condolences to the families that have lost loved ones,” said McCaig, Military Ordinariate of Canada, in an Oct. 19 interview with The Catholic Register. “I offered Mass this morning for the souls of the deceased. We’re just continuing to pray for the whole situation as it unfolds, and as we learn more and more. We're praying for all those affected and praying for the first responders. Everybody involved in the situation is hopefully covered in the mercy of God. It's a very difficult moment for us in the military and who served in the military. “

Sgt. Morgan Wong and Privates Shaun Farrell, Aidan Goulding and Hayden Lykkemark were the four young men who tragically lost their lives. All served with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and were readying for deployment to Latvia in 2027.

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McCaig remains in close contact with his chaplains on site who are accompanying and comforting people experiencing grief. 

Edmonton Archbishop Stephen Hero offered “heartfelt prayers and pastoral concern to all those affected” on behalf of Edmonton Catholics in a statement.

“Those who serve at CFB Wainwright are our relatives, friends and neighbours,” stated Hero. “We hold them close in our hearts and prayers, and we are called to accompany all who are suffering through compassion, practical support and the love of Christ.

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“We commend to God’s loving mercy those who have died, pray for healing for the injured and ask for comfort for those who mourn and strength and peace for all affected. We also remember pastor Fr. Benjamin Obetta, CFIC, Deacon Carlos Lara and the community of Blessed Sacrament Parish (in Wainwright), asking the Lord to sustain them in faith and unite them in prayer.”

“Behind every uniform is someone’s beloved son, father, brother or friend — someone who answered the call to serve Canada and contribute to peace and security throughout the world,” said Bishop David Motiuk of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton.

“May the Lord grant blessed repose to the fallen, healing and recovery to the injured and comfort, strength and peace to all who mourn and struggle to come to terms with this tragedy,” he said.

McCaig echoes Hero’s call for people to seek the Lord for sustainment and consolation. He acknowledged that this “is a really traumatic moment, and at a time when the military meet our obligations internationally. This is a real blow and so we really need prayers.”

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Prime Minister Mark Carney announced there are 50 investigators dedicated to probing the cause of the fire that started during a live-combat exercise with grenades and artillery in the training area. Dangerous wind conditions quickly spread the blaze. 

Gen. Jennie Carignan, Canada’s top military commander, pledged to release the investigative findings publicly.

(Amundson is an associate editor and writer for The Catholic Register.)