Dunn gets long-awaited pallium

Long delayed by COVID, Halifax-Yarmouth Archbishop Brian Dunn received his pallium from the papal nuncio to Canada, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič, on May 31.

The pallium — a “three fingers wide,” long scarf woven from the wool of lambs raised by Trappist monks — is a symbol of unity with the pope conferred on metropolitan archbishops and primates. The ceremony used to occur in Rome as soon as practicable after an archbishop takes possession of his cathedral. Pope Francis modified this practice, so that archbishops now receive the pallium in their archdioceses and before the faithful they serve.

Dunn is actually three years into his mission as Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth. COVID and a period of transition between nuncios delayed the ceremony.

“It feels a little strange to have an event to welcome me as the new archbishop. I’m no longer new,” Dunn said in a release from the archdiocese. “However, I am delighted to welcome Archbishop Jurkovič and celebrate this important moment in my ministry with the faithful whom I serve.”