Pope silent, Catholic bishops ‘shocked’ after child remains found in Kamloops

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Editor’s Note: Emotional support or help for those affected by the residential school system can be found at the Residential School Survivors Society toll-free at 1 (800) 721-0066 or the Crisis Line 24 hours a day 1 (866) 925-4419.

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – In the middle renewed appeals to the Pope to apologize For the devastation caused by the residential school system, Canada’s Catholic Bishops have released statements expressing their sadness and shock, offering prayers to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation following the discovery of the remains of 215 children in Kamloops.

Kamloops Indian Residential School opened under Roman Catholic administration in 1890 and operated until 1969. One of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action was for the Pope to apologize for the role of the Church in a system that has seen 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children taken from their families and confined in conditions that amounted to cultural genocide.

“We call on the Pope to apologize to the survivors, their families and their communities for the role of the Roman Catholic Church in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical and sexual abuse of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children in residential schools, ”reads the call to action.

“Many other missing children”

The commission’s final report estimates that between 4,100 and 6,000 children died of abuse or neglect between 1890 and 1996. However, the discovery of 215 children’s remains in anonymous graves draws more attention to the problem. fact that indigenous peoples, survivors and experts have argued that this number is a significant underestimate.

“We heard from many survivors, from our own community and beyond. They are finally heard after so many years of silence and disbelief over the death of children in residential schools, ”Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation wrote in a statement on Monday.

“Unfortunately, we know that many more children are missing. We have heard that there are unmarked burial sites on other former residential school grounds. It was something that
the TRC raised in the early days of their work. However, this was not part of their original mandate.

In 2018, Pope Francis said he would not apologize despite a formal request from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and appeals from survivors and their families. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said that although the Pope acknowledged the commission’s findings and expressed regret for past wrongs, he “felt he could not respond personally”.

The Pontiff made no statement about last week’s discovery.

Manny Jules, Former Chief of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, tells Radio NL News that an apology is now more important than ever.

“In my opinion, it is extremely important that the church say something,” he said.

“It must say something about this find because they were involved. But is it not only the Catholic Church, it is also the other churches that were an integral part of the colonial approach here in this country that must have a role and a responsibility, and that is going to be a very powerful signal.

Catholic Bishops Offer Prayers and “Healing” Support to First Nation

The Bishop of the Diocese of Kamloops, Joseph Nguyen, issued a statement Friday, saying he was “heartbroken” and “horrified” by the news.

“On behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops, I extend my deepest sympathy to Chief Rosanne Casimir of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation and to all who mourn this tragedy and unspeakable loss. No word of sadness could adequately describe this horrific discovery, ”he wrote in a statement.

“I offer the assurance of my personal support, prayers and accompaniment to our First Nations in Kamloops and beyond.

Prior to 1945, Kamloops Indian Residential School was located within the Archdiocese of Vancouver. Archbishop J. Michael Miller said he was “filled with deep sorrow” when he learned that the children’s remains had been found.

“The pain of such news reminds us of our constant need to bring to light all of the tragic situations that occurred in the Church-run residential schools. The passage of time does not erase the suffering affecting the affected indigenous communities, and we are committed to doing everything possible to heal this suffering, ”he said in a statement.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops echoed these sentiments in a statement on Monday.

“The news of the recent discovery is shocking. It rekindles trauma in many communities across this country. Honoring the dignity of the little lost requires that the truth be brought to light, ”we read.

“As we see more and more clearly the pain and suffering of the past, the Bishops of Canada pledge to continue to walk alongside Indigenous peoples in the present, in search of greater
healing and reconciliation for the future.

The Sisters of St. Anne, an order of Catholic nuns who worked at the Kamloops residential school, said they will make the records available to the archivist working with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.

“We share the angst and join the plea for more answers,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement.

Emotional support or help for those affected by the residential school system can be found at the Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll free number at 1 (800) 721-0066 or the 24 hour crisis line. 24 (866) 925-4419.

With files from Ria Renouf, Kier Junos and The Canadian Press


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