Canada bishops organizing ‘pastoral visit’ of indigenous leaders to Vatican

[Michie]

A man watches a convoy of truckers and other vehicles travel on Hwy 5 in support of the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc people after the remains of 215 children were discovered buried near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, in Kamloops, British Columbia, on Saturday, June 5, 2021. (Credit: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP.)

ROME – After the recent discovery of the remains of hundreds of children at a former residential school in Canada, the bishops announced that they are organizing a meeting between the pope and indigenous leaders in Rome.

In a June 10 statement, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said the discovery of the remains “reminds us of a tragic legacy still felt today.”

“With the strong encouragement of Pope Francis, the Bishops of Canada have pledged true and deep commitment to renewing and strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples across the land,” they said, noting that over the past few years, a number of regional and diocesan “listening circles” have taken place to listen to the stories of indigenous communities.

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[Michie]

A child's red dress hangs on a stake near the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in Kamloops, British Columbia June 5, 2021. For years Indigenous people in Canada have wanted an apology from the pope for the church's role in abuse at Catholic-run residential schools. (Credit: Jennifer Gauthier/Reuters via CNS.)

ROME — Pope Francis seems to have no trouble using the word “sorry” and recommending others use it often.

Then why, people wondered, did he not use the word when speaking about the horrific discovery of the remains of as many as 215 children in unmarked graves at a Catholic-run school for Indigenous children in Canada?

Pope Francis did express his condolences and sorrow June 6, recognizing the discovery brought up the traumas of the past when the Canadian government policy was to send Indigenous children to residential schools as part of a mistaken effort at assimilation. Catholic religious orders ran most of those schools, and stories of abuse are rampant.

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