Pope's 'pilgrimage of repentance' to Canada
0Pope's 'pilgrimage of repentance' to Canada
Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholics, asked locals for forgiveness for the abuse in church schools during his visit to Canada, which he described as a "pilgrimage of repentance".
Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholics and President of the Vatican, has apologized for the abuse and mistreatment of indigenous children in Canadian church boarding schools.
Describing his visit to Canada as a "pilgrimage of repentance", the Pope attended a public event in the first stop of his trip, in the city of Edmonton, with leaders of indigenous peoples, boarding church school survivors and politicians.
The event, attended by Canadian Governor-General Mary Simon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, cabinet members and many others, was held at the former Ermineskin Boarding School site in the Maskwacis community south of Edmonton.
The Pope, who followed the traditional rites of the natives, was given gifts by the native tribal leaders.
Here, the Pope gave a local woman the shoes of a child he had brought from the Vatican, who died while staying in boarding church schools.
A native representative also presented the Pope with one of the eagle feathered headdresses and a native drum.
The pope took off his eagle-feathered native cap for a while and prayed with the attendees.
"I WISH FOR YOU"
In his speech at the event, Pope Francis said, "I humbly ask forgiveness for the evil committed against the Indigenous peoples by so many Christians." said.
These words of the Pope were applauded by the locals in the area. Apologizing on behalf of fellow Catholic Church members for the "subversive" policy towards Natives at boarding church schools in Canada, the Pope told the Christian community that forced assimilations had destroyed the culture of the natives, broke their families and marginalized them in ways that are still felt.
Pointing to the former Ermineskin Boarding School, one of Canada's largest boarding schools, the Pope said, "Here, in connection with painful memories, I want to begin what I think of as a pilgrimage. It is a pilgrimage of repentance."
Having repeatedly apologized and pardoned in his speech, the Pope also expressed regret for the actions of the past, supported by many members of the church and reflecting the "disastrous mistake" and "pathetic evil" of boarding schools.
Stating that the memories of children who did not return from boarding schools left him with a feeling of "pain, anger and shame", Pope Pope Francis went beyond his previous apology for the "brutal" actions of the missionaries.
In his speech, the Pope expressed the following views:
“Many of you and your representatives have stated that asking for forgiveness is not the end of the matter. I totally agree, this is just the first step and starting point. I also realize that no effort has been made to seek forgiveness and repair damage by looking at the past. no effort is spared is an important part of this process."
THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN HAVE DIE IN CHURCH SCHOOLS
The Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigated the issue, completed its study on church-affiliated boarding schools operating between 1831-1996 in 2015 and a 4,000-page report was published. The commission described the events as "cultural genocide".
The report in question stated that at least 4,200 indigenous children died in these schools as a result of abuse or neglect.
In Canada, many unofficial child graves were found in the gardens of some of the boarding schools under the control of the Catholic Church.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has repeatedly apologized to the indigenous people after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report, requested an apology from the Pope during his official visit to the Vatican in 2017.