'The church needs to listen to Indigenous people': Archdiocese of Regina looks at ways to reconcile
The Archdiocese of Regina is in active conversations with Indigenous leaders and communities on steps it can take to reconcile and mend broken relationships.
On Wednesday, the diocese released an apology statement recognizing its role in operating four residential schools in the area and its moral obligation to assist in healing where wanted.
The one thing Regina Archbishop Donald Bolen has heard most is the desire for the church to take responsibility for its actions.
“Responsibility in the Archdiocese means looking to the four nations where there was a residential school and where there are cemeteries and to enter conversations there,” Bolen said.
The diocese has committed to help bring the same ground penetrating radar research used in Kamloops to the local sites and to assist in the search of more unmarked graves, if that is wanted.
“But we haven’t taken any steps without consulting with and walking with our Indigenous friends and guides who have been helping us to move forward together,” Bolen added.
One of the Indigenous leaders the Archdiocese is consulting in its reconciliation work is Susan Beaudin. She is an education consultant and residential school survivor.
“I think what the Catholic Church is going to learn from us, and if we give them a chance to learn from us, (that) is how we put our people who have died away and help them pass on to the other side,” Beaudin said.
Indigenous people hold prayers and ceremonies to honour those who have died, Beaudin said it would be nice to have representatives from the church watch or partake in one of the ceremonies that will happen when more unmarked graves are discovered.
“In some communities they won’t want Bishop Don there and they won’t invite him and that’s ok because that is where we are at this point,” she said. “There will be some people who will have circles to discuss this among the people.”
Bolen said he would attend the ceremonies if he is invited.
“If I am invited to such a ceremony, I would go and consider it a great privilege. But if the decision is to not have Catholic representatives there or not to have the Bishop there, that is completely understandable, too,” Bolen said.
Both parties agree that there needs to be more education – both in the church and general public – on Canada’s colonial history and lasting impacts seen today.
Bolen said the Archdiocese has been looking at the Truth and Reconciliation reports and coming up with ways to implement some recommendations.
“What can we do in the parishes, what can we do in the schools, what can we do in terms of formation of people about Indigenous history and how can we work together on justice issues. Really taking the lead from Indigenous people, but standing in solidarity, walking with,” Bolen said.
“It’s time for the Catholic Church to listen to Indigenous people and for Indigenous people to at least help guide any process or anything we want to do,” Beaudin said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Nine suspects arrested in $24M gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport: Peel police
Nine people have been arrested in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year, Peel Regional Police said Wednesday.
Some of the winners and losers in the 2024 federal budget
With a variety of fiscal and policy measures announced in the federal budget, winners include small businesses and fintech companies while losers include the tobacco industry and Canadian pension funds.
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Canada is expected to win 22 medals at the Paris Olympics
Canada is expected to win a total of 22 medals, including six gold, at the Paris Summer Olympics, which open on July 26.
500 Newfoundlanders wound up on the same cruise and it turned into a rocking kitchen party
A Celebrity Apex cruise to the Caribbean this month turned into a rocking Newfoundland kitchen party when hundreds of people from Canada's easternmost province happened to be booked on the same ship.
Liberals must now sell a budget they say will help younger Canadians catch up
It's now up to the federal Liberal government to sell a spending plan it says will help younger Canadians catch up to their elders.
Father of boy accused of stabbing 2 Australian clerics saw no signs of extremism, Muslim leader says
The father of a boy accused of stabbing two Christian clerics in Australia saw no signs of his son’s extremism, a Muslim community leader said on Wednesday as police began arresting suspected rioters who besieged a Sydney church demanding revenge.
Ontario woman out $30K after investing in mortgage company accused of being unlicensed
An Ontario nurse is fighting to recover tens of thousands of dollars in savings she invested in a mortgage company that has since been accused of operating without a licence.
Young New Brunswick songwriter makes appearance on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'
Eight-year-old songwriter Zuri Hamilton from Miramichi, N.B., got to show off her talent on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' on Monday.