Indigenous groups want more spots for residential school survivors during pope's visit
A group of Indigenous people in Quebec expressed disappointment and concern Friday after learning that only 400 seats will be reserved for residential school survivors at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré during Pope Francis' visit on July 28.
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) is asking the Church that reconciliation and healing for residential school survivors remain at the heart of Pope Francis' visit.
The Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine website reports that organizers of the papal mass anticipate between 10,000 and 15,000 people will be able to attend with space for guests inside and outside the basilica. A broadcast of the mass will also be offered on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City.
AFNQL Regional Chief Ghislain Picard is upset with the fact that his organization has only a few days to provide 400 names, while he estimates the number of residential school survivors to be several thousand among First Nations in the province.
Picard believes that it is essential to ensure that the survivors are close to the Pope, because the event represents an essential step for them in their journey towards healing.
"This is the very purpose of the Pope's visit," he said.
He added that the Church's apology is long overdue and that it must be done in a welcoming and compassionate manner.
Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Quebec City on the afternoon of July 27. He will first meet with government officials at the Citadel of Quebec and the Plains of Abraham.
The mass at Sainte-Anne de Beaupré will take place the next day at 10 a.m.
In the afternoon, he will meet with several members of the clergy, deacons and pastoral agents at the Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral-Basilica.
On Thursday, July 29, the Pope will have private meetings in Quebec City with members of the Society of Jesus before meeting with a delegation of Indigenous people from Eastern Canada at the Archdiocese of Quebec.
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador includes 43 chiefs.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 1, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to quash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer's disease
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
B.C. court date set for 3 accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three suspects accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year are scheduled to appear in court in Surrey on Tuesday.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.