On the two-year anniversary of Pope Francis’s penitential pilgrimage to Canada, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), in a “Letter to the People of God”, has provided an update on the steps that the Catholic Church in Canada has taken to respond to the Holy Father’s calls for a future of justice, healing, and reconciliation. It encourages Catholics across the country to continue to listen to and support residential school survivors and Indigenous communities on this journey.
“After years of listening, learning, prayer, and dialogue, the Bishops of Canada were deeply grateful for the Holy Father’s apology, and to the many Indigenous partners who shared their experiences and desires for a brighter future,” said Bishop William T. McGrattan, President of the CCCB. “We believe this was a meaningful step in the reconciliation journey – but the effects of the residential school system persist to this day. As we look back on the words of Pope Francis, we must continue to confront this painful legacy and to walk alongside the Indigenous Peoples in the spirit of solidarity and hope.”
In his various public and private addresses, the Holy Father not only expressed profound sorrow for the devastating effects of the residential school system on Indigenous communities, but also called on the Bishops of Canada to approach reconciliation through concrete actions and shared projects. Building on the important progress achieved in planning the penitential pilgrimage of the Pope, the Bishops of Canada took tangible steps in this direction in the years since the papal visit, including:
The Bishops of Canada are deeply grateful for the relationships they have established with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. As this journey of truth and reconciliation continues, the Bishops remain committed to walking in solidarity and listening to the experiences of Indigenous Peoples to guide the path forward. Encouraged by the presence, words, and gestures of Pope Francis, the Bishops of Canada continue to make meaningful progress in the significant work that lies ahead.
Letter to the People of God: