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Eugene

(61,595 posts)
Mon Jun 7, 2021, 03:39 PM Jun 2021

Pope voices 'pain' over Canadian deaths, doesn't apologize

Source: Associated Press

Pope voices ‘pain’ over Canadian deaths, doesn’t apologize

By FRANCES D'EMILIO
June 6, 2021

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday expressed his pain over the discovery in Canada of the remains of 215 Indigenous students of church-run residential schools and pressed religious and political authorities to shed light on “this sad affair.” But he didn’t offer the apology sought by the Canadian prime minister.

Francis, in remarks to faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, also called on the authorities to foster healing but made no reference to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s insistence, two days earlier, that the Vatican apologize and take responsibility.

From the 19th century until the 1970s, more than 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend state-funded Christian schools, the majority of them run by Roman Catholic missionary congregations, in a campaign to assimilate them into Canadian society.

The Canadian government has admitted that physical and sexual abuse was rampant in the schools, with students beaten for speaking their native languages.

-snip-


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/europe-canada-religion-d9cd8969bbe1deec1ab1db47bbf1da9e
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shrike3

(3,283 posts)
2. A delegation of Indigenous people from Canada will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican
Mon Jun 21, 2021, 11:09 AM
Jun 2021

e

https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/canadian-bishops-indigenous-delegation-meet-pope-end-2021 A delegation of Indigenous people from Canada will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican before the end of the year, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said.

The delegation will include representatives of First Nations, Métis and Inuit national organizations, the bishops said in a statement released June 10.

The statement follows the May 30 announcement by the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation of the discovery of 215 bodies buried on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in Kamloops, British Columbia.

"The delegation to the Holy See represents an important step on the journey of reconciliation and shared healing for Indigenous Peoples and the Church in Canada," the bishops said.

"With the strong encouragement of Pope Francis, the Bishops of Canada have pledged true and deep commitment to renewing and strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples across the land," the statement said, citing regional and diocesan-wide listening circles that have been established in recent years.

Planning for such a meeting had been underway for more than two years in an effort to "foster meaningful encounters of dialogue and healing," the statement said," but was stalled by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the statement explained.

shrike3

(3,283 posts)
4. I don't know what's in Francis' mind. No one does.
Tue Jun 22, 2021, 10:52 AM
Jun 2021

This has been in the works for two years. They're going to talk about something.

shrike3

(3,283 posts)
6. The trip was postponed for two years because of Covid.
Tue Jun 22, 2021, 09:14 PM
Jun 2021

But you think whatever you want to think, I guess.

uriel1972

(4,261 posts)
7. You don't need to apologise in person to make a public apology...
Wed Jun 23, 2021, 01:19 AM
Jun 2021

He could have done that from the Vatican and then gone on an apology tour of Canada if he wished. Your mileage may vary.

shrike3

(3,283 posts)
8. I have the feeling no matter what he did it wouldn't be good enough for you.
Wed Jun 23, 2021, 12:10 PM
Jun 2021

But you're certainly entitled to your opinion, along with everyone else.

uriel1972

(4,261 posts)
9. They murdered and abused children over decades...
Thu Jun 24, 2021, 05:09 AM
Jun 2021

and you think I'm unreasonable because I ask for an apology?

An admission of culpability, restitution, and an apology would be the least they should do.

shrike3

(3,283 posts)
10. Did the Canadian government co-murder children?
Thu Jun 24, 2021, 11:39 AM
Jun 2021

The schools were carrying out official Canadian policy. Canada had an assimilation policy and hired churches to carry it out. (By the way, there's been no indication yet any children were murdered.) Though to be fair, the Canadian government is acting far more responsibly than the church at this point, to their credit.

Why are YOU asking for an apology? Are you a member of Canada's indigenous tribes? If you are, that's one thing. If you're not, you're a bystander, like me. We're both entitled to our reactions and opinions, but that's about it.

Have a good day.

uriel1972

(4,261 posts)
11. Children died as a direct consequence of their
Thu Jun 24, 2021, 01:19 PM
Jun 2021

Deliberate actions, which weren't one off accidents. Yes I call that murder. Yes, I consider the Canadian government were partners in that crime.

No, I am not expecting a personal apology. I am only outlining what I would expect a good person to do. Make good the crime as best as possible and apologise.

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