Pope voices 'pain' over Canadian deaths, doesn't apologize

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Pope voices ‘pain’ over Canadian deaths, doesn’t apologize

By FRANCES D'EMILIO
June 6, 2021

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday expressed his pain over the discovery in Canada of the remains of 215 Indigenous students of church-run residential schools and pressed religious and political authorities to shed light on “this sad affair.” But he didn’t offer the apology sought by the Canadian prime minister.

Francis, in remarks to faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, also called on the authorities to foster healing but made no reference to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s insistence, two days earlier, that the Vatican apologize and take responsibility.

From the 19th century until the 1970s, more than 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend state-funded Christian schools, the majority of them run by Roman Catholic missionary congregations, in a campaign to assimilate them into Canadian society.

The Canadian government has admitted that physical and sexual abuse was rampant in the schools, with students beaten for speaking their native languages.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/europe-canada-religion-d9cd8969bbe1deec1ab1db47bbf1da9e

[3Hotdogs]

1. --- Oh, and can you send us some money?

Popemobile needs an oil change.

[shrike3]

2. A delegation of Indigenous people from Canada will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican

e

https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/canadian-bishops-indigenous-delegation-meet-pope-end-2021 A delegation of Indigenous people from Canada will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican before the end of the year, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said.

The delegation will include representatives of First Nations, Métis and Inuit national organizations, the bishops said in a statement released June 10.

The statement follows the May 30 announcement by the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation of the discovery of 215 bodies buried on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in Kamloops, British Columbia.

"The delegation to the Holy See represents an important step on the journey of reconciliation and shared healing for Indigenous Peoples and the Church in Canada," the bishops said.

"With the strong encouragement of Pope Francis, the Bishops of Canada have pledged true and deep commitment to renewing and strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples across the land," the statement said, citing regional and diocesan-wide listening circles that have been established in recent years.

Planning for such a meeting had been underway for more than two years in an effort to "foster meaningful encounters of dialogue and healing," the statement said," but was stalled by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the statement explained.

[uriel1972]

3. But will they apologise?

[shrike3]

4. I don't know what's in Francis' mind. No one does.

This has been in the works for two years. They're going to talk about something.

[uriel1972]

5. Good people don't take two or more years to

Publicly apologise for atrocities.

[shrike3]

6. The trip was postponed for two years because of Covid.

But you think whatever you want to think, I guess.

[uriel1972]

7. You don't need to apologise in person to make a public apology...

He could have done that from the Vatican and then gone on an apology tour of Canada if he wished. Your mileage may vary.

[shrike3]

8. I have the feeling no matter what he did it wouldn't be good enough for you.

But you're certainly entitled to your opinion, along with everyone else.

[uriel1972]

9. They murdered and abused children over decades...

and you think I'm unreasonable because I ask for an apology?

An admission of culpability, restitution, and an apology would be the least they should do.

[shrike3]

10. Did the Canadian government co-murder children?

The schools were carrying out official Canadian policy. Canada had an assimilation policy and hired churches to carry it out. (By the way, there's been no indication yet any children were murdered.) Though to be fair, the Canadian government is acting far more responsibly than the church at this point, to their credit.

Why are YOU asking for an apology? Are you a member of Canada's indigenous tribes? If you are, that's one thing. If you're not, you're a bystander, like me. We're both entitled to our reactions and opinions, but that's about it.

Have a good day.

[uriel1972]

11. Children died as a direct consequence of their

Deliberate actions, which weren't one off accidents. Yes I call that murder. Yes, I consider the Canadian government were partners in that crime.

No, I am not expecting a personal apology. I am only outlining what I would expect a good person to do. Make good the crime as best as possible and apologise.