We call upon the Pope to issue an apology to Survivors, their families, and communities for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children in Catholic-run residential schools. We call for that apology to be similar to the 2010 apology issued to Irish victims of abuse and to occur within one year of the issuing of this Report and to be delivered by the Pope in Canada.
Why “STALLED?”
July 25, 2022: Pope Francis delivered his apology in Maskwacis, Alberta on Treaty Six territory on the site of the former Ermineskin Indian Residential School. The Pope did not apologize for the Roman Catholic Church as an institution nor did he renounce the Doctrine of Discovery that 500+ years ago initiated the pillaging of Indigenous lands and genocide of Indigenous people throughout the world. Other issues:
- No acknowledgements of sexual abuse in the schools
- No mention of acts of atonement or reparation
- No mention of return of Indigenous artifacts held in Vatican museum
- Access to residential school records held in Church archives
April 1, 2022 – Pope Francis apologizes to Indigenous delegates including residential school survivors for the Catholic Church’s role in the residential school system in Canada: “I am very sorry.” The Pope is expected to come to Canada forJuly 26, 2021
Sept. 24, 2021: The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a “Statement of Apology” in an open letter and also pledged to work with the Holy See and our Indigenous partners on the possibility of a pastoral visit by the Pope to Canada as part of this healing journey.
Current Status
July 25, 2022
Stalled
Previous Status
July 5, 2022
In Progress
Latest Updates
Site last updated on July 30, 2022
Pope Francis apology
Pope says Indigenous people suffered genocide at residential schools
Toronto Star: ROME – Pope Francis says the abuses Indigenous Peoples faced while being forced to attend residential schools amounted to genocide. The pontiff made……
July 30, 2022
Indigenous leader comments after Pope’s apology
Special Statement by President Chartrand following Pope Francis’ historic visit to Canada
NationTalk: Winnipeg, MB – in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis - Today, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the National Government of the Red River……
July 28, 2022
Indigenous leader comments after Pope’s apology
Reflecting on the Pope’s visit, Pauktuutit is centered on supporting former students, day students, and families
NationTalk: IQALUIT, July 27, 2022 – Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada’s President Sharpe and board members understand that the intergenerational trauma caused by the Roman……
July 27, 2022
Indigenous leader comments after Pope’s apology
Chief Roseanne Casimer comments after Pope’s visit to Lac Ste. Anne
ICT: Indian Country Today: LAC STE. ANNE, Alberta, Canada — They gathered at the water as they have for as long as anyone can remember.……
July 27, 2022
Pope Francis apology
Canada’s bishops want Vatican to issue new statement on Doctrine of Discovery
Many Indigenous people hoped Pope Francis would renounce the policy, which has been used to justify colonizing lands considered to be ‘uninhabited’ Pope Francis at……
July 27, 2022
Pope Francis apology
Address of Pope Francis at the Citadelle de Québec
APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCISto CANADA(24 – 30 JULY 2022) MEETING WITH CIVIL AUTHORITIES, REPRESENTATIVES OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS ……
July 27, 2022
Indigenous leader comments after Pope’s apology
Pope’s apology doesn’t acknowledge church’s role as ‘co-author’ of dark chapter: Murray Sinclair
Former senator Murray Sinclair was the chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission from 2009 to 2015. He says the apology the Pope delivered Monday……
July 26, 2022
Indigenous plans for pope’s visit
Inuit Planning And Preparations Set The Stage For Warm Welcome Of Pope Francis To Inuit Homeland
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, together with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Makivik Corporation and the Nunatsiavut Government, are coordinating efforts for Inuit participation in the Papal Visit to……
July 26, 2022
Indigenous leader comments after Pope’s apology
Métis National Council president on split reaction to papal apology
Cassidy Caron, president of the Métis National Council, speaks to media in Edmonton on July 25, 2022, just hours after the head of the Catholic……
July 26, 2022
Indigenous plans for pope’s visit
Métis Nation–Saskatchewan Representatives and Delegation to Join in Events with the Vatican in Edmonton, Maskwacis, and Lac Ste. Anne
NationTalk: The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan welcomes Pope Francis to Canada and hopes this trip will represent another step forward on the shared path of reconciliation for……
July 25, 2022