Genocide

2022 - 7 - 30

Post cover — Image courtesy of "ACI Africa"

Pope Francis Says Canada's Residential Schools System was ... (ACI Africa)

Pope Francis has agreed with the view that the forced removal of Indigenous children and their treatment in Canada's residential school system was a form of ...

Catholic organizations ran at least 60% of the government-funded boarding schools. It worked to stamp out indigenous culture and language systematically, often by removing children from their families by force. Pope Francis has agreed with the view that the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families and their treatment in Canada’s residential school system was a form of “cultural genocide.”

'A dramatic shift': Residential school survivor, Indigenous leader ... (CBC.ca)

A residential school survivor is hopeful Pope Francis's unqualified use of the word genocide to describe what happened to Indigenous Peoples forced to ...

"For him to use that word, I believe that the survivors are going to feel … a level of trust," she said. And so for the Pope to … acknowledge that genocide is an appropriate term, I think that is an important development," Pitawanakwat said. A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. "I think coming to Canada was a real learning experience," he added. Pope Francis's use of the word should not distract from confronting the unresolved issues between Indigenous Peoples and the Catholic Church, Fontaine said. But he is learning about it," said Dias. All the other churches move faster in terms of providing documents, acknowledging past harms. She said she was glad to be able to represent their memory at the event. But I was looking for words that were significant, meaningful, honest," said Fontaine in an interview Saturday. "It's about time that they use these kind of words to describe what happened to our people. Yes, it's a genocide," the pontiff told reporters on the outbound flight. "It clearly represents a dramatic shift, from my perspective.

Pope says residential-school policy was part of 'genocide' plan (CatholicPhilly.com)

Pope Francis looks on as he answers questions from journalists aboard his flight from Iqaluit, in the Canadian territory of Nunavut, to Rome July 29, 2022.

A church that does not allow its teaching to develop does not remain the same, it “goes backwards,” he said. “That communique was written by the Secretariat of State,” Pope Francis said. Your gift will strengthen the fabric of our entire Catholic community and sustain CatholicPhilly.com as your trusted news source. In his response, Pope Francis did not talk about the church’s teaching against the use of artificial contraception. “Perhaps we will have to change the style a bit, reduce a bit.” Thank you in advance! Pope Francis said it always has been a temptation for colonizers to think they were superior to the people whose land they were colonizing. The job of theologians, the pope said, is to explore the possibilities, while the job of the pope is to “help them understand the limits.” You can change popes, no problem.” “It was a mistake not to say so,” but it was an oversight and “not out of bad will.” “But I will try to continue to make trips and to be close to the people because I think it is a way to serve,” he said. “This trip was a bit of a test” to see how much he could handle and how much of what was considered a standard part of a papal trip was really necessary, he said.

Pope says Indigenous people suffered genocide at residential schools (Alberta Prime Times)

Pope Francis says the abuses Indigenous Peoples faced while being forced to attend residential schools amounted to genocide.

The effects of residential schools were the subject of many testimonies from families and survivors. He begged for forgiveness for abuses committed by some members of the church as well as for cultural destruction and forced assimilation. They also criticized him for not using the term genocide. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, who helped organize the papal trip, said in a statement that the bishops plan to work with the Vatican to have it addressed. "Colonization is bad. When asked if he would use the word genocide and accept that members of the church participated in genocide, Francis said yes.

Pope calls treatment of Indigenous in Canada schools 'genocide' (Aljazeera.com)

Pope Francis steps up his apology, saying the technical word for the wiping away of a people's culture was 'genocide'.