Pope Francis apologized for residential schools during historic Canadian visit

Thousands of dignitaries, Indigenous leaders, and residential school survivors gathered on a warm July day in 2022 at powwow grounds in central Alberta to witness a historic moment – Pope Francis apologizing for the Catholic Church’s role in residential schools. The journey to this momentous event took some days, while for others, it had been decades in the making.

Pope Francis, who recently completed a six-day ‘pilgrimage of penance’ in Alberta, Quebec, and Nunavut, stood on the stage at Maskwacis, Alta., and expressed his sorrow and shame for the abuses committed by some members of the Catholic Church. He acknowledged the cultural destruction and forced assimilation that resulted in the traumatic experiences of Indigenous children in residential schools.

The apology was a long-awaited moment for survivors who had been advocating for the Church to take responsibility for its role in the residential school system. The demand for an apology grew stronger after the discovery of thousands of unmarked graves at former residential school sites. It is estimated that around 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend these schools, with the Catholic Church running a significant portion of them.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada had called on the Pope to apologize on Canadian soil as part of its Calls to Action. At Maskwacis, Chief Wilton Littlechild, a survivor and former commissioner with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, presented the Pope with a traditional headdress, symbolizing a significant moment of reconciliation.

While the apology was met with a mix of emotions – from relief and gratitude to disappointment and calls for further action – many saw it as a crucial step towards healing and reconciliation. Survivors like Phil Fontaine, who had spent years advocating for the apology, emphasized the importance of acknowledgment and forgiveness in the healing process.

The Pope’s visit to Canada also included stops in Quebec and Nunavut, where he engaged with Indigenous communities, participating in ceremonies, and acknowledging the harms inflicted by the Church. In his visit to Iqaluit, he met with survivors and recognized the ban on Indigenous cultural practices in residential schools.

On his flight back to the Vatican, Pope Francis made a significant statement, acknowledging the abuse at residential schools as a form of genocide. This admission was seen as a validation of the experiences of survivors and a step towards recognizing the full extent of the harm caused by the residential school system.

Months later, the Vatican formally denounced the Doctrine of Discovery, another point of contention raised during the Pope’s visit. The acknowledgment of the harmful colonial doctrine was a significant step towards addressing the legacy of colonization and its impact on Indigenous communities.

While the papal visit incurred significant costs, with the Canadian government spending millions on security and logistics, the historic apology and acknowledgments made by Pope Francis were seen as invaluable steps towards reconciliation and healing. The journey towards reconciliation continues, with support services available for survivors and those affected by the legacy of residential schools.