Vatican says Pope Francis has agreed to visit Canada and meet with indigenous leaders

In a brief statement, the Vatican said the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) invited the Pope to make an apostolic trip to Canada “also in the context of the long-standing pastoral process of reconciliation with indigenous peoples.”

The Vatican says Francis has indicated his “willingness” to visit Canada on a date to be determined. Considering the time usually required to organize a papal visit abroad, it seemed unlikely that such a pilgrimage could take place this year.

“The Bishops of Canada have engaged in meaningful discussions with Indigenous peoples, particularly those affected by residential schools, who have shared stories of the suffering and challenges they continue to experience,” said Reverend Raymond Poisson, President of the CCCB.

“We pray that Pope Francis’ visit to Canada will be an important step in the journey towards reconciliation and healing.”

Assembly of First Nations national chief RoseAnne Archibald said in a statement to media she would welcome Pope Francis and expects him to issue a “long overdue” apology to residential school survivors.

“The Catholic Church must be responsible and recognize its responsibility in the implementation and management of these institutions of assimilation and genocide,” she declared.

She also called on the church to make “a number of repairs,” including returning the land to the diocese and investing in long-term healing and support programs.

Minister wants “full recognition” from the Pope for the damage caused

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller told reporters in Ottawa that the Pope’s next visit has been long requested.

“I think for the Holy Father – in whom many of the faithful saw a lot of hope when he settled down – the full recognition of the harm done to the indigenous peoples was at the top of the list of what they wanted. to see him. to do in Canada, on the territory, ”he said.

“I know there are mixed views, mixed perspectives on this, but in the grand scheme of what we call reconciliation, I think for indigenous peoples, this full recognition of the damage done is something long awaited from the Holy Father himself. “

WATCH | Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller during the Pope’s visit:

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has also said he expects the Pope to apologize for the wrongs committed by the Catholic Church against Indigenous peoples, especially in residential schools.

“But an apology is not enough,” Singh said.

The church is to compensate survivors and release residential school records to “close the doors to families so they can find out what happened to their children.”

From the 19th century until the last school closed in 1997, more than 150,000 Aboriginal children were forced to attend publicly funded Christian residential schools as part of a campaign to assimilate them into Canadian society. Thousands of children died there from disease and other causes; others have never returned to their families.

Almost three-quarters of the 130 residential schools were run by Roman Catholic missionary congregations, while others were administered by the Presbyterian, Anglican, and The United Church of Canada.

A few months ago, Francis agreed to meet in December with Indigenous survivors of Canada’s infamous residential schools amid calls for a papal apology for the role of the Catholic Church.

At that time, the bishops’ conference said the pontiff had invited delegations to the Vatican and would separately meet with three groups – First Nations, Métis and Inuit – during their visit from December 17 to 20. The pope will then preside over a final audience with the three groups on December 20, according to the bishops group.

LISTEN | Why residential school survivors are skeptical of compensation:

Trudeau disappointed with slow response

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in response to a question last week during a visit to the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc Nation in British Columbia, noted that these three churches had signed the 2005 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement .

“We have unfortunately seen resistance on the part of the Catholic Church to take responsibility, financial or moral, for its role in residential schools,” Trudeau said.

“I think millions of Catholics like me across this country expect the church to step up and meet its moral responsibilities, legal and economic responsibilities, historical responsibilities, but also practice what ‘she literally preaches,’ he added.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said last month it would donate $ 30 million to help survivors of the residential school system.

The church pledged in 2005 to pay $ 29 million in cash under the 2005 agreement, but documents recently obtained by CBC News showed that much of the money had been spent on lawyers, administration, a private fundraising company and unapproved loans.

Apologies don’t end the process: Fontaine

Phil Fontaine, the former Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, had been chosen as a delegate to meet Francis at the scheduled meeting at the Vatican.

“We are working on something quite substantial when we meet with the Holy Father, and this must include not only the apologies – which is important – but what comes after the apologies,” he told CBC Manitoba last week. “This is, in my opinion, where important steps need to be taken from both the Catholic Church and their various entities in Canada and our people.”

Phil Fontaine talks about his upcoming meeting with Pope Francis

CBC’s Janet Stewart speaks to Phil Fontaine, former Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, about his appointment as Manitoba’s representative in a meeting with Pope Francis, where First Nations leaders will petition for a formal apology for the Catholic Church’s role in the residential school system. 6:05

The papal apology was one of 94 recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, but the Canadian Bishops’ Conference said in 2018 that the Pope cannot personally apologize for the residential schools.

Deacon Rennie Nahanee, a member of the Squamish First Nation, said he was the only Aboriginal deacon in British Columbia.

He told CBC News that the reconciliation project should allow Indigenous peoples to let go of the past.

“I know it’s difficult, but it’s like cancer that’s inside of them. A tumor. That if they don’t get rid of it, this tumor, it’s going to keep spreading like the cancer that she is, ”he said.

“The only way for our future generations to have a better future, a better future, a happier future is through reconciliation, through forgiveness. Start over with a clean state and we will have a new life to begin with.”

Francis recognized the pain and suffering

Pope Benedict XVI, who retired in 2013, met former students and victims in 2009 and shared with them his “personal anguish” over their suffering. But he didn’t apologize.

The problem emerged in the spring, when investigators in Canada using ground-penetrating radar reported finding hundreds of potential burial sites at two residential schools for Indigenous children. The findings rekindled calls for the Pope to issue a formal apology.

Canadian Catholic Bishops pledge $ 30 million for reconciliation efforts

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops vice-president Bishop William McGrattan told Power & Politics that bishops across Canada will strive to raise $ 30 million over five years for reconciliation efforts and Indigenous healing. 8:30

Pope Francis spoke about the findings of around 200 potential burial sites on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on June 6.

“I follow with sadness the news arriving from Canada of the heartbreaking discovery of the remains of 215 children,” said Francis. “I join with the Catholic Church of Canada in expressing my closeness to the Canadian people traumatized by the shocking news. This sad discovery increases awareness of the pain and suffering of the past. “

“May the political and religious authorities continue to collaborate with determination to shed light on this sad affair and embark on a road to recovery,” added François.

The Argentine Pope has apologized for the sins and crimes committed by the Catholic Church against indigenous peoples during the colonial conquest of the Americas. He asked for forgiveness during a 2015 visit to Bolivia and in the presence of indigenous groups.

Francis, who underwent bowel surgery in early summer, has resumed his regular activities, with a meeting with President Joe Biden scheduled for Friday.

A Vatican source told Reuters earlier this week that Francis is preparing to travel to Cyprus and Greece, including the Greek island of Lesvos, to meet with migrants, December 2-6.

Support is available for anyone affected by the lingering effects of residential schools and for those triggered by the latest reports.

A national residential school crisis line was established to provide support to residential school survivors and others affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419.