Pope avoided apologizing for remains of indigenous children found in school in Canada

However, he did not go so far as to ask for a direct apology as some Canadians had requested. Two days ago, the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin trudeau, said the Catholic Church You have to take responsibility for your role in running many schools.

Address pilgrims and tourists in the St. Peter’s Square For his weekly blessing, Francis urged Canadian Catholic religious and political leaders to “cooperate with determination” to shed light on the discovery and search for reconciliation and healing.

Francisco said he felt close to “the Canadian people, who have been traumatized by the shocking news”.

Residential schools operated between 1831 and 1996 and were run by various Christian denominations on behalf of the government. Most were run by the Catholic Church.

The discovery last month of the remains of the children of Kamloops Indian Residential School, British Columbia, which closed in 1978, has reopened old wounds and fueled outrage in Canada at the lack of information and accountability.

“The sad discovery increases the understanding of past pain and suffering “Francisco said.

“These difficult times represent a strong reminder for all let’s distance ourselves from the colonizer model and walk together in dialogue and mutual respect in recognizing the rights and cultural values ​​of all sons and daughters of Canada, ”he said.

Residential school system forcibly removed some 150,000 children from their homes. Many have been victims of abuse, rape and malnutrition in what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission described in 2015 as “cultural genocide”.

“Let us entrust the souls of all the children who died in residential schools to the Lord and pray for the families and indigenous communities of Canada torn apart by grief,” Francis said before asking the crowd to join him in silent prayer. . .