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Pope Francis delivered this July 25 a historic apology to the indigenous peoples of Canada. He asked them “forgiveness for the evils” committed for decades in schools run by the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis apologized on Monday for abuses committed by members of the Catholic Church in boarding schools for indigenous children in Canada. It was during a meeting in the community of Maskwacis, south of Edmonton and according to the pontiff, it is the first stage of a long process of reconciliation.
“Colonialist Mentality”
Residential school alumni and members of indigenous communities gathered to hear the pope’s message at the site of the former Ermineskin boarding school, one of the largest in Canada.
“I apologize for the way in which, unfortunately, many Christians have adopted the colonialist mentality of the powers that oppress indigenous peoples,” the pontiff said.
“Point”
Some greeted the words of the pontiff with applause, others could not contain their tears.
“Many of you and your representatives have stated that apologies are not a point of arrival, I agree perfectly, they only constitute a first step, the starting point,” he added.
The pope received a traditional headdress from the hands of one of the indigenous chiefs present, which he wore for a few minutes.
“It would be boosearch for the truth”
Leaders like George Arcand, the grand chief of the Treaty Six Confederation of First Nations, expect other gestures from the Church. According to him, “a lot of work remains to be done”.
Pope Francis promised to go further: “An important part of this process is to make a serious search for the truth about the past,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of helping alumni heal their wounds.
A wheelchair diary
Long-awaited, the six-day papal visit raises hope among some survivors and their families. Many also expect symbolic gestures, such as the restitution of indigenous art objects kept in the Vatican for decades.
On Tuesday, the pope will celebrate a Spanish-language mass at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium where some 65,000 people are expected, before heading to Lake Sainte-Anne, the site of a major annual pilgrimage.
On Wednesday, he will visit Québec City before the last leg of the trip, on Friday in Iqaluit (Nunavut), a city in northern Canada in the Arctic archipelago.
Weakened by pain in his knees, the Argentine Jesuit appeared on Sunday in a wheelchair but smiling during his arrival in Edmonton. His agenda was accommodated to avoid large displacements due to his state of health, according to the organizers.
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