The ugly head of the residentials schools unchristian behavior and mismanagement has reared its ugly head once again. This time it has to do with the unmarked First Nations graves found on the Kamloops residential school property.

We all share a sense of regret and shock learning about these latest events that occurred decades ago. It is too bad that those who were directly and personally responsible are no longer living to render an account for their actions. They may have escaped earthly justice, but nobody escapes the one from the throne of God.

Now the Pope is being criticized because he will not be apologizing in person. It has been explained that under the Church’s decentralized structure it is not appropriate for the Pope to apologize, as neither the Holy See nor the conference of bishops were involved in running the residential schools.

The autonomous Roman Catholic entities that did operate the schools have publicly apologized and paid millions of dollars in compensation under a 2006 settlement agreement. Phil Fontaine, then-national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, declared that a meeting with Pope Benedict in 2009  “closed the circle of reconciliation.” And Pope Francis is encouraging Canadian bishops to continue assuming their proper leadership and role in pursuing reconciliation.

It’s been refreshing to hear all of our politicians, including our Prime Minister, an architect of our death industry, lament the fact that these unfortunate children would never be parents and grandparents. Will any of the hundreds of thousands of aborted babies? They are simply out of the equation.

He has the nerve to advise our Holy Father about ethics, when unborn babies, the elderly, and the mentally challenged are expendable and worthy to be put out of their misery in a “dignified” way? 

John Bueno
North Vancouver


European colonization clashed with and badly hurt the Indigenous people and societies. But seeking the truth is a difficult task. I get irritated when the media angrily accuse Catholics of a crime, hiding “mass graves,” child abuse,  and chastise the Catholic Church and Pope for refusing to apologize.

There is no mention of how our country behaved and often misbehaved toward the Indigenous people. The truth is that the Catholic Church has been engaged in reconciliation and healing with Indigenous people for decades. Catholics on many levels have made sincere apologies not long after the sombre issues of the residential schools became known. 

In 2009, then-leader of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine and delegates met with Pope Benedict. Both parties highly praised this meeting and committed to reconciliation.

We Catholics have revealed our conscience and pain many times. One rarely hears about the good things the Church did in the past, about the money the Church has spent to help native people because of residential schools and other issues such as poverty and hunger. 

Is this because mentioning any of this wouldn’t fit well with the ideology of the mainstream media and antagonistic and atheistic groups in our society?

In order to challenge unsubstantiated accusations, we need to search for the truth. What truly happened in the residential schools? Why did the indigenous children die? Did they live and die unloved, as a burden not worth a simple blessing and sign of cross? What good and untold kindness happened? What role did the overall society played in building good relations with the indigenous people?

Anton (Tony) Gazdik
Campbell River 


I’m wondering what we as Catholics are doing to promote reconciliation? It’s hard to believe that our faith, which is about love, kindness and following in the ways of Christ, could be so involved with these atrocities. It makes me embarrassed to say I am Catholic as these are not the ways of the Church as I know it.

I believe the Church needs to show concrete steps that we accept our responsibility: making sure that every First Nation has clean running water for its people and that every Firs Nation has the opportunity to reclaim its language and culture. It’s the least we can do.

Marlayne Metzker
New Westminster


Thank you for the wonderful May 31 article by Inca Siojo, “Painting a picture of mental health for charity.”

This is what we all are called to do:

  • Take one step at a time
  • Reach one person
  • Follow our inspiration
  • Share our ideas

Well done, Inca! The design for the project Luce is lovely, and what a beautiful name for a beautiful project!

No wonder you are a professional designer Maybe you can write more articles and introduce other people who have extra talents.

Marianne Werner
Vancouver