Canada September 29, 2021
Canadian bishops pledge $30 million to Indigenous reconciliation
By B.C. Catholic Staff
Thirty million dollars in five years. That’s what the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has promised to contribute toward healing and reconciliation initiatives with Indigenous people.
“There was a universal consensus that Catholic entities needed to do more in a tangible way to address the suffering experienced in Canada’s residential schools,” said Bishop Raymond Poisson in a news release Sept. 27.
“This effort will help support programs and initiatives dedicated to improving the lives of residential school survivors and their communities, ensuring resources needed to assist in the path of healing.”
The pledge for funds comes on the heels of a national apology from the CCCB acknowledging suffering was experienced in residential schools, grave abuses were perpetuated by members of the Catholic community, and “historical and ongoing trauma” that remains to this day.
“Along with those Catholic entities which were directly involved in the operation of the schools which have already offered their own heartfelt apologies, we, the Catholic Bishops of Canada, express our profound remorse and apologize unequivocally.”
The $30 million will be collected in co-operation with dioceses across the country. The Archdiocese of Vancouver launched a fundraising campaign Sept. 1, inviting local Catholics to give at a second collection during Masses Sept. 11 and 12. The archdiocese’s total raised is still being tallied.
In a 2006 Settlement Agreement, Catholic entities made a three-part commitment to Indigenous people including $29 million to support healing and reconciliation programs; $25 million of “services in kind;” and $25 million in a national “best efforts” fundraising campaign. The Church met the first and exceeded the second, but fell dramatically short in the third, only collecting $3.7 million.
It would appear the latest pledge to raise $30 million aims to address that.
The CCCB said how the funds will be used will be “determined locally, in consultation with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples in each region.” Further details including strategy and timelines are expected this November.
Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is Sept. 30. In the Archdiocese of Vancouver, Catholic schools and the John Paul II Pastoral Centre will be closed that day.
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