Catholic Church repudiates ‘Doctrine of Discovery’, used to justify seizure of Indigenous lands

A major announcement was made by the Catholic Church today, one that some Indigenous leaders are welcoming. The Vatican has repudiated the so-called Doctrine of Discovery – the colonial-era documents that justified the seizure of Indigenous lands. In a statement the Vatican asked for a pardon for the Papal decrees that did not adequately reflect equal dignity and rights of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous groups have been calling for the doctrine to be rescinded for decades. Heather Yourex-West has more.

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