Oblates widen access to personnel files
Ahead of Pope Francis’ journey to Canada, the Oblate Fathers have retired their longstanding practice of keeping personnel files secret until 50 years after the death of an Oblate Father or Brother.
Reconciliation fund approves first project
Nine months after Canada’s Catholic bishops committed to it, the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund is up and running.
Asking for prayers ahead of his visit to Canada July 24-29, Pope Francis described the trip as a "penitential pilgrimage" as part of a commitment to healing and reconciliation with the country's Indigenous people.
When Pope Francis travels to Canada to apologize to Indigenous communities for the way the Catholic Church joined efforts to uproot them from their traditional culture and spirituality, their traditions will be on full display.
Papal apology draws American eyes
If Pope Francis is going to broaden or deepen the apology he offered April 1 in Rome, then it’s going to happen at Maskwacis, 70 kilometres south of Edmonton, site of one of the largest Indian residential schools in Canada.
First Nations group offers draft for papal apology
A First Nations group of residential school survivors has publicly put forward specific wording for a papal apology widely expected in Canada in July.
Since language provides the foundation for thoughts and culturally roots people in communities, the death of a language means the death of the unique cultural wisdom that it holds.
Students recognized for reconciliation vision
Dealing with Canada’s residential school history is challenging enough for the best of us, but two Vancouver Catholic school students are being recognized nationally for their clear vision of a “reconciled Canada.”
Open ears, close lips, to truly listen
Listening is often referred to as an art. Reams of books have been dedicated to defining “how” to listen, and even define “types” — deep listening, full listening, critical listening, therapeutic listening etc.
Editorial: Indigenous turning
Surely no Canadian is so naïve as to believe that Pope Francis’ six-day July visit will miraculously heal nearly 400 years of fraught, often deeply unjust relations, with Indigenous people.
Hamilton steps up reconciliation commitment
Above and beyond. Having promised to contribute a substantial chunk of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ national commitment to donate $30 million over the next five years to the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, the Diocese of Hamilton is now planning to raise even more money with annual envelope collections.
Papal visit a wake up call for Canadians
For six days in July the most important thing happening in this country will be an old man confronting our history.
Pope Francis will visit a residential school and will very likely be seen on the shores of Lac Ste. Anne during the annual pilgrimage to Manitou Sakahigan – Cree for “Lake of the Spirit.”
New paths sought in reconciliation walk
Chief Cadmus Delorme of Cowessess First Nation and Regina Archbishop Donald Bolen have been walking together for some time now — including through the work of ground-penetrating radar and finding 751 hits near a former Catholic-run residential school on Cowesses First Nation east of Regina in the summer of 2021.