Bishops launch Indigenous healing fund

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has formally established its new registered charity to support and advance healing and reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous peoples.

The launch today fulfills a promise to raise $30 million for reconciliation that came after a summer of unmarked graves being discovered at former Indian residential schools, many of which were run by the Catholic Church or Catholic orders.

The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund will accept contributions from 73 dioceses across Canada to meet the $30-million commitment the bishops made last September. Administrative costs for the fund will be on top of the $30 million being raised and won’t be deducted from the principal amount, the bishops said in a release.

“The bishops of Canada are fully committed to addressing the historical and ongoing trauma caused by the residential school system,” said Bishop Raymond Poisson, president of the CCCB. “In moving forward with our collective financial commitment, we will continue to be guided by the experience and wisdom of Indigenous peoples across the country.”

The fund will be managed with measures put in place to ensure transparency and good governance, the bishops said. It will prioritize healing and reconciliation for communities and families, culture and language revitalization, education and community building and dialogue for promoting Indigenous spirituality and culture.