Pope to visit Canada in July to apologize for residential schools

[Judi Lynn]

The visit will include a trip to Nunavut.

By Philip Pullella, Reuters, Anna Mehler Paperny, Reuters -May 13, 2022

VATICAN CITY/TORONTO — Pope Francis will visit Canada July 24-30, the Vatican said on Friday, a trip during which he is expected to personally apologize for the Catholic Church’s role in running residential schools where many indigenous children were abused.

A Vatican statement said the pope would visit the cities of Edmonton, Quebec and Iqaluit.

Grand Chief George Arcand Jr., whose Treaty 6 territory includes Edmonton, said in a statement he recognised the impact a visit would have on residential school survivors, their families and communities.

“It is my hope we are on a path to healing and that survivors’ truths are validated with this historic visit,” he said.

The stated aim of the schools, which operated between 1831 and 1996, was to assimilate indigenous children. Over that period about 150,000 children were taken from their homes and many were subjected to abuse, rape and malnutrition in what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 called “cultural genocide.”

More:
https://www.arctictoday.com/pope-to-visit-canada-in-july-to-apologize-for-residential-schools/

[PortTack]

1. By who's authority does this apology carry any weight?? They still abuse children

Gone back and clean up your own house! Then an apology might be accepted