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Pope calls for healing over Canada school discovery

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Pope calls for healing.

Pope Francis said on Sunday that he was pained by the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former Catholic school for indigenous students in Canada, but he stopped short of the apology some Canadians are demanding.

What is the significance of Pope Francis’ statement on the discovery of the mass grave at the Kamloops residential school?

Pope Francis has called on people around the world to come together and heal in the wake of the recent discovery of a mass grave at a former residential school in Canada. The remains of 215 Indigenous children were found buried on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, which was operated by the Catholic Church from 1890 to 1969.

The discovery has sparked a national outcry in Canada, with many Indigenous leaders and activists calling for recognition of the crimes committed against Indigenous people through the residential school system. The schools, which were established in the 19th century and operated until the late 20th century, were part of a government effort to forcibly assimilate Indigenous children into mainstream society. Many children were forcibly taken from their families and communities and subjected to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

In a statement issued on June 6, Pope Francis expressed his “closeness to the Canadian people” and his “sorrow” for the “sad discovery.” He also emphasized the need for “healing” and called on Catholics in Canada and around the world to “join in prayer” for the “repose of the souls of the children who have died” and “for the comfort of the families” who are “still grieving.”

The statement marks a significant step forward for the Catholic Church regarding its role in the residential school system. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) called on the Catholic Church to apologize for its role in the system, but the Catholic Church has so far refused to issue a formal apology. In his statement, Pope Francis did not issue a formal apology but instead expressed his “commitment to working towards reconciliation” and his willingness to “collaborate with the Canadian bishops and other local authorities” to do so.

Indigenous leaders in Canada have welcomed the pope’s statement as a positive first step towards reconciliation. Perry Bellegarde, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, praised the pope for his “compassion and leadership” and called on the Canadian government and the Catholic Church to “work together with Indigenous peoples to address the ongoing impacts of residential schools.”

The discovery of the mass grave at the Kamloops residential school has brought the issue of the residential school system back into the forefront of the national conversation in Canada. It has forced Canadians to confront the dark legacy of colonialism and systemic racism that has resulted in the ongoing marginalization and oppression of Indigenous peoples. The pope’s call for healing is an important reminder that reconciliation and healing are necessary for all those impacted by the residential school system to move forward.