Statement of Apology – Indigenous Peoples of Canada

Diocese of Thunder Bay Crest

Bishops of Canada Apologize

Statement of Apology Official PDF

In their meeting together, the bishops of Canada, offered a formal apology to the Indigenous people of our land for the part the Catholic Church played in the Residential school system. The bishops were in full unity on this apology and they also pledged to raise funds in each of their dioceses to support healing and reconciliation projects which will be guided by Indigenous peoples.  In their meetings the bishops expressed the hope that in the meeting with Pope Francis and the Indigenous leaders this December in Rome, that this meeting will bring about a direction for Pope Francis to visit Canada and to express, in his own words, his sorrow over the pain and suffering the Residential school system created for Indigenous peoples.  You can read the entire apology on this website.