Montreal archbishop apologizes for residential schools, as two churches hold vigils for 215 children
Two Montreal Catholic Churches held vigils Friday for the 215 children that were found buried in unmarked graves at the Kamloops residential school in B.C.
Archbishop of Montreal Christian Lepine also released a statement of solidarity, sorrow and regret for the role the church played in administering the residential school program.
He also apologized, which is something the head of his church has failed to do.
"I unite my voice with theirs to express my most sincere apology for the injustices committed against Canada’s First Nations families and communities," wrote Lepine.
"Indian residential schools shattered lives: the lives of the families and communities whose children were snatched away from them, the lives of the children themselves, who were terribly lonely, uprooted and often mistreated," he added. "I am deeply distressed to know that, as Catholics and as Canadians, we collaborated in view of God and the world with this policy of assimilating the First Nations people under the guise of education."
Outside of the Maria-Ausiliatrice Church in Riviere-des-Prairies on the northeast tip of Montreal, prayers are being spoken for the 215 children.
Romina Perrotti organized the vigil.
"Being a mom of two, that really fuelled everything for me," she said. "Our children are our lives and I can’t even imagine what the parents of these children went through.
"Mindful that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities."
The discovery has meant another reckoning for the Catholic Church, and many have been conflicted by their faith, including Ojibway Roger Twance, who is a devout Catholic.
"There’s a lot of Indigenous people who are Christian, who are Catholics, and we all recognize that it wasn’t the Church who did this- it was the people," he said.
Not everyone shares Twance's point of view.
Anger and frustration remain across the country with many demanding Pope Francis deliver a full apology.
"A lot of people talk about the position of the Church and how it was linked to that terrible drama that was uncovered in Kamloops," said Jean-Pierre Couturier.
Lepine said Catholics first need to acknowledge the damage the church and church officials called and commit to assisting families to find the truth about their loved ones.
"Words cannot express the great sorrow I feel in the face of so much suffering," he wrote. "We must offer our apologies for the wrongdoing that has been committed."
Another vigil was held Friday at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral in downtown Montreal.
In RDP, shoes were left on the Church steps, one pair for each child who died.
"Jesus came to us to tell us that there is hope- there is always hope and that’s what we need to attach ourselves to," said Twance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.