Roman Catholic Church Issue Apology to Canadian Indigenous Community Over Abuse in Residential Schools

Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec. Pic – Wiki

OCP News Service – 1/10/21

Toronto-Canada: The Roman Catholic Church in Canada issued a statement of apology to the indigenous communities in Canada over the role of the Church in abuse of children in residential schools.

“We, the Catholic Bishops of Canada, gathered in Plenary this week, take this opportunity to affirm to you, the Indigenous Peoples of this land, that we acknowledge the suffering experienced in Canada’s Indian Residential Schools. Many Catholic religious communities and dioceses participated in this system, which led to the suppression of Indigenous languages, culture and spirituality, failing to respect the rich history, traditions and wisdom of Indigenous Peoples”, the statement reads.

The Bishops have expressed profound remorse over abuse and other atrocities. The Roman Catholic church managed over 130 Indian schools in Canada, where more than 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend Christian schools as part of the Canadian assimilation attempts. These children encountered various diseases, hunger physical and sexual abuse by Catholic priests and faithful.

Source:
OCP News Service