News releases

Twenty-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.

Since 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.

We, the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Hyacinthe, wish to express our deep sorrow and regret following the discovery of more than 750 unmarked graves on the Marieval Residential School site in Saskatchewan. […] Without knowing it or wanting to, they participated in the movement of colonialism that was established at that time and thus contributed to the loss of identity that the First Nations rightly denounce.

We are two Catholic religious communities of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (commonly known as the Oblates) and were involved in operating many of the residential schools throughout Canada. […] We want to reiterate our commitment and intent to disclose all historical documents maintained by us and in our possession, in accordance with all legislation, about our involvement.

Today, the Royal BC Museum and the Sisters of St. Ann (SSA) announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding that will provide enhanced access of the SSA’s private archival records to the Royal BC Museum and to the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC) at UBC.

The Sisters of Saint Ann have a long history of commitment to the education of children everywhere, for their personal and spiritual development, their career opportunities, and their citizenship outreach. Years ago, with profound sorrow and regret, we came to realize that some of the teaching positions accepted by the Sisters of Saint Ann in British Columbia were part of a system that was destructive for the very children the Sisters intended to serve.

A by-product of colonization, the Indian Residential School (IRS) system caused much suffering to the Aboriginal population of Canada. On behaif of the Missionary Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart and of Mary Immaculate, I sincerely apologize for our implication in these schools. To all families who were separated: parents from children, children from parents and from their brothers and sisters and from their community, we are deeply sorry.

The Canadian Religious Conference (CRC) wishes to express its profound sadness and compassion following the announcement on May 27th of the terrible discovery of the remains of 215 children in a mass grave at the site of the former Kamloops residential school. […] The CRC incites its members to make all the necessary efforts to bring the truth to light. This is part of our organization’s priorities and we recommit to taking up the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in collaboration with our partners, including members of Indigenous communities.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle appreciates the government’s action in introducing a bill to include the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in Canadian law. […] Although there is reservation in endorsing all aspects of Bill C-15 in its current form, [..] we hope that, after consultation, review, and any appropriate amendments, it will be ready to be passed in a timely manner.

The Canadian Religious Conference (CRC) supports federal Bill C-15, “An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” and also invites religious congregations and institutes of consecrated life in Canada to express their support for this bill, as other Christian Churches and organizations have done by signing Faith in the Declaration.