‘Contrite hearts’ and concrete action: Catholics react to the legacy of Canada’s residential schools – Catholic World Report

The history of Canada’s residential schools had a dark side, made visible with the recent rediscoveries of graves of some indigenous children. Catholics spoke to CNA of the need to recognize Catholic involvement in this history. They stressed the dangers of serving a malign government policy that aimed at cultural genocide, and the need for genuine contrition and action on behalf of indigenous communities today. “This news has helped more indigenous people understand what has taken place in residential schools than apologies have. It’s shocking news, and they should be shocked by that,” Deacon Rennie Nahanee of the Archdiocese of Vancouver told CNA. “With the discovery of the unmarked graves, the children buried at countless residential schools, Catholic people should be thinking to themselves ‘what if those were my children’?” The Canadian government established the residential school system in the 1870s, aiming to assimilate indigenous children. Protestant and Catholic entities ran the schools, with Catholic groups responsible for over 70 of some 130 residential schools. About 16 of the 70 Catholic dioceses in Canada were associated with the schools, as were some three dozen Catholic religious communities. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate ran 48 of the schools.

‘Contrite hearts’ and concrete action: Catholics react to the legacy of Canada’s residential schools – Catholic World Report