The Church in Canada continues on the path of reconciliation with indigenous peoples

Photo: Christopher Wells/vaticannews.va

VATICAN CITY - The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops says it "remains committed to walking in solidarity" with Indigenous peoples as Canada marks two years since Pope Francis' historic "penitential pilgrimage" for healing and reconciliation.

Two years after the historic "penitential pilgrimage" Pope Francis to Canada, the country's bishops say "remain committed to walking in solidarity and listening to the experiences of indigenous peoples to lead the way forward".

In a letter to the "People of God," the bishops say they continue to reflect "on the deep sorrow expressed by Pope Francis over the devastating impact of the residential school system on indigenous communities, and on the journey of reconciliation and healing we have embarked on together."

Initiatives towards reconciliation and healing
The bishops also highlight some of the initiatives the Church in Canada has taken since the Pope's visit.

The first concerns financial support for Indigenous priorities, with the bishops committing to raise thirty million Canadian dollars over five years for projects aimed at promoting healing and reconciliation. More than half of this amount has already been raised, with funds earmarked for initiatives targeted at local Indigenous communities and overseen by the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund.

The bishops also committed themselves to a "transparent approach" to missionary, sacramental and funeral records and other documentation. "Pope Francis stressed the importance of revealing and acknowledging the truth about the historical injustices faced by residential school survivors and their families," atsay the bishops, adding: "Truth must precede reconciliation."

Finally, the bishops acknowledged that "many difficult conversations are taking place across the country about our painful heritage." The bishops acknowledge that "this deep desire for truth and transparency lies first in Indigenous communities and residential school survivors" and encourage dioceses and all Catholics to support local Indigenous communities in their search for the painful history of residential schools.

The way of reconciliation and hope
In the conclusion of the letter, the bishops recall Pope Francis' call for the Church in Canada to take "decisive action" and make an "irreversible commitment to the new path we are forging" with Canada's indigenous peoples.

"We must walk the path of reconciliation and hope together," the bishops say. "That is why we will continue to listen to survivors and indigenous communities and support them on this journey."

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-07/church-in-canada-continues-to-walk-alongside-indigenous-peoples.html