Catholic bishops raise possibility of papal visit to Canada

OTTAWA (CCN) – Canada’s Catholic bishops have “unequivocally” apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in the residential school system and have raised the possibility of a visit by the Pope to Canada as part of the “healing journey” between Canada’s Indigenous peoples and the Church.

In a statement released by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops at the end of the CCCB’s annual plenary assembly Sept. 24, the bishops said, “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,” the statement said.

“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.”

The CCCB statement follows the discovery of unmarked graves of children at a former residential school in Kamloops in May and criticism of the Church for inadequately addressing its role in the residential school system. There have been renewed calls, including from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for the Pope to visit Canada to issue a formal apology on behalf of the Church on Canadian soil. A papal apology in Canada was one of the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report.

A delegation of Indigenous leaders is scheduled to meet with the Pope at the Vatican in December to address the Church’s role in Canada’s residential schools.

“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,” the CCCB’s Sept. 24 statement said.

“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,” the CCCB said.

“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.”