The Bishops of Canada, as a tangible expression of their commitment to walk with the Indigenous Peoples of this land along the pathway of hope, are making a nation-wide collective financial commitment to support healing and reconciliation initiatives for residential school survivors, their families, and their communities. With a target of $30 million over up to five years, this will include initiatives in every region of the country.
Read moreToday marks the beginning of Truth and Reconciliation Week. This national educational program continues the conversation about the truths of First Nations Treaties, the Métis and Inuit Land Claims, and the legacy of the residential school system. […] This is an opportunity to fulfill the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #62 on Education for Reconciliation, which calls for the development of an age-appropriate curriculum to involve students across the country in the Reconciliation process.
Read moreWe, the Catholic Bishops of Canada, gathered in Plenary this week, take this opportunity to affirm to you, the Indigenous Peoples of this land, that we acknowledge the suffering experienced in Canada’s Indian Residential Schools. […] Along with those Catholic entities which were directly involved in the operation of the schools and which have already offered their own heartfelt apologies, we, the Catholic Bishops of Canada, express our profound remorse and apologize unequivocally.
Read moreIt has been brought to the attention of the Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame that a few congregations have received a letter appearing to have been signed by Sister Agnes Campbell and requesting the deposit of the accompanying cheque as well as the transfer of funds to beneficiaries.
Read moreThe Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) elected a new Congregational Leadership Team at the 35th General Chapter of Delegates, held from July 18-28, 2021. In addition to Sister Linda Haydock, elected as Congregational Leader for a second term, the team includes Sister Mary Haupt and Sister Susan Wells as General Councillors.
Read moreThe Jesuit Provincials of Canada and the United States commit to studying the history of Indigenous boarding schools. “We write to express our deep sorrow at the recent discoveries of unmarked graves of Indigenous children at the sites of several former boarding schools in Canada. We grieve deeply the loss of human life and culture that took place at such schools, both in Canada and the United States, and we acknowledge that the Society of Jesus participated in that history.”
Read moreThe Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame de Montréal will gather virtually in General Chapter this summer, from July 26 to August 14, 2021. The meeting, which was initially set to be held at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, will take place by videoconferencing. The delegates will discuss the major orientations of the Congregation for the next five years as well as elect a new Leadership Team.
Read moreThe discovery of the unmarked graves at former Canadian residential schools is a stark reminder of the most vulnerable and enslaved in our nations. We listen through the winds of time to the cries of hidden children, women, and men. Our breath is labored as we begin to understand the harms inflicted on the innocent. The discovery of these remains is heart-breaking and shameful. As human beings and as members of a religious congregation that served at two of these schools, we weep.
Read moreTwenty-one Catholic congregations of men and women religious across Canada have signed a letter to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) calling on them to demonstrate “clear and courageous leadership” in developing a National Catholic Reconciliation Plan.
Read moreSince May 2021, searches conducted with ground-penetrating radars have led to the discoveries of several unmarked graves on the sites of former residential schools. At publication time, 1,148 unmarked graves have been discovered on the sites of three former residential schools, out of the 139 residential schools once operating in Canada. It is to be expected that more shocking discoveries will result from these searches. In this context, the CRC wishes to share several elements.
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