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
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.