‘I am deeply sorry’: Pope Francis apologizes for church’s role in ‘evil’ residential schools

Emotional support or assistance for those who are affected by the residential school system can be found at Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll-free 1 (800) 721-0066 or 24-hr Crisis Line 1 (866) 925-4419.

Expressing a “deep pain and remorse” Pope Francis has apologized for the role the Roman Catholic Church played in Canada’s residential school system, which he called a “deplorable evil.”

“I am deeply sorry,” he said. “Sorry for the ways that regrettably many Christians supported the colonizing mentality of the powers that oppressed the Indigenous peoples.

“I ask forgiveness in particular for the ways many members of the church and of religious communities cooperated, not the least through their indifference, in projects of cultural destruction and forced assimilation.”

The historic apology to Indigenous residential school survivors and their families came as the Pope met with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples at the former site of the Ermineskin Indian Residential School in Maskwacis Alberta, south of Edmonton on Monday.

“I have been waiting to come here and be with you here from this place associated with painful memories,” he said. “I would like to begin what I consider a penitential pilgrimage. I have come to your native lands to tell you in person of my sorrow, to implore God’s forgiveness, healing and reconciliation, to express my closeness and to pray with you and for you.”

Francis acknowledged that residential schools “denigrated and suppressed” the languages and cultures of Indigenous people and led to horrific abuse, the ripples of which are still being felt today.

Using unambiguous language, the Pope said the residential school system was “catastrophic” for Indigenous people and was a “disastrous error.”

“In the face of this deplorable evil the church kneels before God and implores his forgiveness for the sins of her children.

“I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous peoples.”

Francis arrived in Canada on Sunday for a six-day trip that is aimed at reconciliation with Indigenous people.

He’s expected to speak later in the afternoon with Indigenous Peoples and parish members at the Church of Sacred Heart in Edmonton.

Later in the week, the Pope plans to host a large outdoor mass at the city’s football stadium and take part in a pilgrimage in nearby Lac Ste. Anne, before travelling to Quebec City and Iqaluit.

A small crowd of dignitaries at the Edmonton airport included Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and Indigenous leaders. The Pope made brief private remarks with organizers saying he has reserved public statements for today’s events.

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• People travelling great distances to see Pope Francis

• Inuit residential school survivor looks to papal apology

Treaty 6 Grand Chief George Arcand Jr. said many people in the Indigenous community are skeptical and hurt, but an apology could be the start of a new journey.

“Many people have always felt that an apology was nothing but hollow words. But when the Pope made an announcement to come to Alberta and talk to our people, people started feeling like there was a sense of hope,” he said.

Arcand Jr. said an apology doesn’t erase the past but sets the way for communities to rebuild and work with the church, if necessary.

An estimated 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools in Canada, where neglect and physical and sexual abuse were rampant. More than 60 per cent of the schools were run by the Catholic Church.

Indigenous leaders have said they are concerned the visit will open old wounds. Arcand Jr. called for more mental health supports to be put in place.