The Pope will meet with a delegation of Indigenous peoples from Canada

Vatican News

“To foster meaningful meetings for dialogue and healing”, the Indigenous People’s Group will meet with Holy Father Francisco from December 17 to 20, 2021. This was announced by the Conference of Canadian Bishops on Tuesday, June 29th. Catholics (CCCB) a Report.

This announcement is ongoing June 10 Report of the Canadian Bishops In it they expressed a desire to fully dedicate themselves to the past and “take truly significant action together with the tribal people towards a more respectful and cooperative future.”

“The recent discovery of the remains of children in the grave of a former boarding school in Kamloops, British Columbia, is reminiscent of a tragic tradition still felt today,” the bishops say.

Therefore, the bishops, who promote the initiative of Medis and Inuit, prepare a delegation to meet with Dad, while conversing with indigenous peoples and communities, both domestically and nationally, with the national organizations of the first countries in both countries.

Following this discovery in British Columbia, on June 24, the head of the Coves’ First Nation announced the discovery of the graves of 751 unnamed children, mostly tribesmen, in the cemetery of the former Marival Indian Residential School, Saskatchewan, in the extreme southeast of the province.

Proximity to the Pope

“Pope Francis is deeply committed to listening directly to the indigenous people, to expressing his heartfelt intimacy, to addressing the impact of colonialism and the role of the Church in the residential school system,” the bishops’ statement said.

This visit will also provide the Pope with the opportunity to respond to the “suffering of the tribal people and the current consequences of the interim shock.”

In his message Angels of June 6, 2021, Pontiff noted the shocking discovery of the remains of children in the old boarding school, expressing his closeness to the Canadian people, pointing out the importance of walking “side by side” in dialogue, mutual respect and recognition of rights and values. Of all the daughters and sons of Canada. “

A different delegation

The report notes that the pastoral visit will include the participation of a variety of adults / guardians of knowledge, residential school survivors and youth from across the country, a small group of bishops and tribal leaders.

The bishops expressed their appreciation to the Holy Father for his open-mindedness by generously extending the invitation for a private meeting with each of the three distinct groups of First Nations, the Medes and the Inuit – as well as the final audience with all the delegates. Together on the last day of the trip.

In conclusion, the CCCB expressed its hope that the next meetings would “lead to a shared future of peace and reconciliation between the Indigenous people and the Catholic Church in Canada.”