Warning: This story deals with disturbing subject matter that may upset and trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.
More than 25 years after the last residential school closed in Canada, Pope Francis has apologized for the grave and lasting harm caused by the church- and state-sponsored residential school system.
In a livestreamed audience with more than 190 Indigenous survivors, elders, knowledge keepers, youth and leaders, the Pope said he was “deeply grieved” by the stories of abuse, hardship and discrimination he heard throughout the week.
“All this made me feel two things very strongly — indignation and shame,” the Pope said Friday, before a packed room at the Vatican. “Indignation, because it is not right to accept evil, and even worse to grow accustomed to evil as if it were an inevitable part of the historical process.
“All these things are contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ. For the deplorable conduct of these members of the Catholic Church — I ask for God’s forgiveness and I want to say to you with all my heart, I am very sorry.”
The Pope said he joined his “brothers”— in the room, six members of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops — in asking for the forgiveness of Indigenous Peoples as well.
The meeting closed a historic, week-long delegation of Indigenous Peoples from Canada to Rome. Those in attendance, many dressed in bright, ribboned and jingling regalia, listened and watched intently as the Holy Father lauded the richness of their culture, spirituality and languages. He praised their sense of community, deep familial roots and great care of the land.
“Ideological colonization” remains rampant in the world today, the Pope added, driven by “greed and thirst for profit” with little concern for people, their history, traditions and home. Critically, he acknowledged the impacts of “intergenerational trauma.”
“I also feel shame – sorrow and shame – for the role that a number of Catholic entities, particularly those with educational responsibilities, have had in all these things that wounded you, in the abuses you suffered and in the lack of respect shown for your identity, your culture and even your spiritual values.”
Read more: ‘What drove me is the children’: Longest-serving chief in Canada presses Pope for justice
Canada’s residential school system locked away more than 150,000 Indigenous children, ripping them from their families and culture in an effort to destroy Indigenous identities. An estimated 4,000 to 6,000 died from abuse, disease, malnutrition and other factors, and countless more were subjected to sickening physical and sexual violence by priests and nuns.
Outside St. Peter’s Basilica, Indigenous Peoples from across Canada celebrated their resilience, and the success of the delegation, in a jubilant round dance around the Vatican Obelisk. Church officials, tourists and Italians joined them hand-in-hand.
Reactions to the apology — a surprise to some delegates — were mixed. Dene National Chief Gerald Antoine said that he took the pope’s words as a sign of “good faith,” but that he still expects the Holy Father to apologize on Turtle Island to all their families.
Métis National Council President Cassidy Caron said she was “deeply moved,” by the Pope’s words, and as she shared the English translation of his speech with Métis Elder Angie Crerar, a survivor, Crerar dissolved into tears.
“I know how important those words are going to be to our survivors back at home, which is why we will continue to advocate for Pope Francis to share those words, those sentiments — what’s he’s learned from us back on our homes,” Caron said.
The meeting with the Pope included prayers in several Indigenous languages, songs, drumming and dance. The pontiff was gifted with regalia and at the end of the meeting said, “bye-bye,” drawing laughter from the crowd.
“In the moment, I couldn’t help but thinking how individuals can change the world, how individuals can see that there is justice and there is a path for justice,” said Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed.
Pope Francis has been described by delegates as a genuine and sincere man whose caring is translated through his eyes, a hug and a warm handshake.
On Friday, he committed to come to Canada and visit Indigenous families in their homeland. He did not indicate whether he would apologize again on Canadian soil, as has been requested by residential school survivors. Instead, he said he looked forward to being able to “better express to you my closeness.”
The Pope did not specifically address other action items identified by the delegates, including the revocation of racist papal decrees that permitted the displacement and destruction of non-Christian peoples.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said the Pope is taking time to ponder and understand that request. Meanwhile, Canadian dioceses and the Vatican secretaries of state have vowed their support in turning over all documents in their possession pertaining to residential schools.
The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419) is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience.
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