Catholic Bishops of Canada issues apology for role in residential schools

Catholic leaders are issuing a statement, expressing their "profound remorse, and apologize unequivocally" for the Catholic role in residential schools and the grave abuse members of their community committed. 

The Catholic Bishops of Canada say they gathered this week for their annual Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) Plenary Assembly meeting, focussing on healing and reconciliation. After months of discussions with First Nations, Métis and Inuit organizations, the Catholic Bishops of Canada are sharing an official apology for the participation of their Catholic religious communities, churches, and dioceses in the Indian Residential School system.

"We, the Catholic Bishops of Canada, express our profound remorse and apologize unequivocally," the statement says. "We acknowledge the grave abuses that were committed by some members of our Catholic community; physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and sexual. We also sorrowfully acknowledge the historical and ongoing trauma and the legacy of suffering and challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples that continue to this day."

They say they are committed to providing documentation or records to assist in the memorialization of those in unmarked graves. More than one thousand graves have been searched so far.

"We invite the Indigenous Peoples to journey with us into a new era of reconciliation, helping us in each of our dioceses across the country to prioritize initiatives of healing, to listen to the experience of Indigenous Peoples, especially to the survivors of Indian Residential Schools, and to educate our clergy, consecrated men and women, and lay faithful, on Indigenous cultures and spirituality."

The bishops say they are going to be fundraising to support local Indigenous initiatives. 

Pope Francis will be visited this December by Indigenous survivors, Elders/knowledge keepers, and youth. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 58th Call to Action specifically asks the Pope to apologize for residential schools. 

"It gives the Pope a chance to listen to them and to express his reaction to what they are saying and to have a dialogue with them," Archbishop Richard Gagnon of the Winnipeg Diocese and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said in an earlier interview about the visit.

"It is a difficult thing and it is also a blessing in that too, that it also provides space for God to work and to bring reconciliation. Reconciliation requires truth; it requires justice."

At the time, Gagnon said the Church is not one large entity with the Pope on top, but that each dioceses is responsible for the chuches in the region. He say sit is "misinformation" that the Pope will not apologize. 

Read the full statement here

"We, the Catholic Bishops of Canada, gathered in Plenary this week, take this opportunity to affirm to you, the Indigenous Peoples of this land, that we acknowledge the suffering experienced in Canada's Indian Residential Schools. Many Catholic religious communities and dioceses participated in this system, which led to the suppression of Indigenous languages, culture and spirituality, failing to respect the rich history, traditions and wisdom of Indigenous Peoples. We acknowledge the grave abuses that were committed by some members of our Catholic community; physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and sexual. We also sorrowfully acknowledge the historical and ongoing trauma and the legacy of suffering and challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples that continue to this day.  Along with those Catholic entities which were directly involved in the operation of the schools and which have already offered their own heartfelt apologies, we, the Catholic Bishops of Canada, express our profound remorse and apologize unequivocally.

We are fully committed to the process of healing and reconciliation. Together with the many pastoral initiatives already underway in dioceses across the country, and as a further tangible expression of this ongoing commitment, we are pledging to undertake fundraising in each region of the country to support initiatives discerned locally with Indigenous partners. Furthermore, we invite the Indigenous Peoples to journey with us into a new era of reconciliation, helping us in each of our dioceses across the country to prioritize initiatives of healing, to listen to the experience of Indigenous Peoples, especially to the survivors of Indian Residential Schools, and to educate our clergy, consecrated men and women, and lay faithful, on Indigenous cultures and spirituality. We commit ourselves to continue the work of providing documentation or records that will assist in the memorialization of those buried in unmarked graves. 

Having heard the requests to engage Pope Francis in this reconciliation process, a delegation of Indigenous survivors, Elders/knowledge keepers, and youth will meet with the Holy Father in Rome in December 2021. Pope Francis will encounter and listen to the Indigenous participants, so as to discern how he can support our common desire to renew relationships and walk together along the path of hope in the coming years. We pledge to work with the Holy See and our Indigenous partners on the possibility of a pastoral visit by the Pope to Canada as part of this healing journey.

We commit ourselves to continue accompanying you, the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples of this land. Standing in respect of your resiliency, strength and wisdom, we look forward to listening to and learning from you as we walk in solidarity."