"It's about time!" Residential School Survivors Meet Pope; Pope apologizes for abuse at native schools

Pope apologizes for abuse at native schools
Updated Wed. Apr. 29 2009 1:26 CTV.ca News Staff



Pope Benedict has said he is sorry for the physical and sexual abuse and "deplorable" conduct at Catholic church-run Canadian residential schools.
The Vatican says the pontiff expressed his sorrow and emphasized that "acts of abuse cannot be tolerated" at a meeting Wednesday with representatives of native Canadians.

"Given the sufferings that some indigenous children experienced in the Canadian residential school system, the Holy Father expressed his sorrow at the anguish caused by the deplorable conduct of some members of the church and he offered his sympathy and prayerful solidarity," a statement from the Vatican said.

Archbishop Gerard Pettipas of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, who attended Wednesday's meeting, says it was an important moment.
Until today, the Church as a whole had never apologized for the abuse that aboriginal students suffered at the hands of Catholic missionary congregations.

"What we've been trying to do is to bring about healing and reconciliation between the Church, the government of Canada and our First Nations people," he told Canada AM shortly after the meeting.

"There was a feeling that despite the apologies that were offered by the oblates and some bishops, that the Catholic Church as a whole has not recognized the part that we played.
"As a gesture of reconciliation... it was important to hear from the one person who does speak for the Catholic Church around the world, to hear him say 'I am sorry. I feel for what you people have suffered. We hope that we can turn the page and move toward a better future together.'"
Chief Edward John of the Tlazten First Nations says he hopes the apology will help "many people move forward."

"We heard the prime minister's apology a year ago in June. And today, to listen to the Holy Father explain his profound sorrow and sadness and to express that there was no room for this sort of abuse to take place in the residential schools, that is an emotional barrier that now has been lifted for many people," he said.

Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said he appreciated the apology from the Church.

"I think His Holiness understands the pain that was endured by so many and I heard him say that it caused him great anguish," said Fontaine, who attended the meetings, on Wednesday.

"I also heard His Holiness say that the abuse of the nature that was inflicted on us has no place in the Church, it's intolerable and it caused him great anguish."

"What I heard," Fontaine added, "it gives me comfort."

More than 150,000 native children were forced to attend the schools from the 19th century until the 1970s. It was part of an effort to remove them from the influence of their homes and culture and assimilate the children into Canadian society.

The Canadian government has admitted that physical and sexual abuse in the schools was rampant. Many students recall being beaten for speaking their native languages and losing touch with their parents.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a formal apology in Parliament last year, calling the treatment of children at the schools a sad chapter in the country's history. He said the policy of forced assimilation was wrong, caused great harm, and had no place in the country.

Canada has also offered compensation, as part of a lawsuit settlement between the government, churches and surviving students.

Pope Apologizes for Abuse at Indian Residential Schools

Residential School Survivors Meet Pope

A group of Survivors from Canada’s Indian Residential Schools had a private audience with Pope Benedict. The delegation was led by assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine. The group also includes one of the survivors of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School, Membertou Chief Terry Paul.

Pope Apologizes to Abuse Survivors

The Survivors received a personal apology from the Pope on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church for its "deplorable" role in Canada’s Indian Residential School system.

Students Suffered Physical and Sexual Abuse
There were about 130 Indian Residential Schools across Canada and 75% of the schools were run by the Catholic Church. Students at the schools were taken from their families and placed in the schools where many of them suffered horrible physical abuse, sexual abuse and loss of their language and culture.

Previous Apologies

Until today, the Catholic Church had never apologized for the horrible abuse at Church run schools. Other religious organizations that ran schools have long since issued apologies, including the Anglican Church in 1993, the Presbyterian Church in 1994 and the United Church of Canada in 1998. Prime Minister Stephen Harper also offered an apology on behalf of the Government of Canada in June of last year.

Nora Bernard Filed First Class Action

The greatest honour I have ever had as a lawyer was representing Nora Bernard and the other Survivors of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School in their fight for compensation for what happened to them as a result of the Residential School system.

Nora filed the first class action against the Government of Canada and the Catholic Church seeking compensation for loss of language and culture for Residential School Survivors. Nora’s claim played an important role in the five billion dollar Indian Residential School Class Action Settlement, the largest historical redress settlement in the world.

I am sure Nora was watching today. I think I can sum up what her reaction would be in three words: "It's about time!"

Wela'lieg



Healing the Legacy