'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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."