Two years on from Pope’s historic visit, CCCB releases letter recognizing accomplishments and envisioning a path forward

Matthew Neugebauer

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Large red book with a small iron bell in front and a lit candle to the right.

Pope Francis encounters Indigenous leaders during his Penitential Pilgrimage to Canada in 2022.

Yesterday morning, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) released "From strong words to meaningful partnership." The letter commemorates the second anniversary of Pope Francis' historic Penitential Pilgrimage and apology on behalf of Church leaders for the horror of the residential schools. The bishops write:

We find ourselves reflecting on the profound sorrow Pope Francis expressed for the devastating effects of the residential school system on Indigenous communities, and on the journey of reconciliation and healing we have embarked upon together.

The letter lists a trio of major steps taken by the CCCB in the last two years towards deeper reconciliation with and support for Indigenous communities in Canada. The accompanying press release summarized them succinctly:

1. Financial Support for Indigenous Projects through the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF): “To date, the IRF has raised more than $15 million, and…has approved 166 projects determined in collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners across the country.” The main letter states that these projects have focused on “healing and reconciliation,... the revitalization of cultures and languages, education and building of communities, as well as dialogues for promoting spiritualities.”
2. Transparent access to records including “a set of Guidelines to assist dioceses in developing policies for documentation and access to relevant records, including mission, sacramental and burial records” of Indigenous institutions and communities.
3. Continuing to dialogue with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples through new “structures within the CCCB to support local and national dialogues to foster greater understanding of Indigenous cultural, linguistic, and spiritual traditions and values.”

Moreover, the bishops’ letter expresses how deeply personal this journey of truth-telling is for many individuals, as it touches their Indigenous and Catholic identities and their overall sense of selfhood and purpose. The shocking discovery of unmarked graves and the increased awareness of the residential school story overall has also caused many in Canadian society to view Catholic institutions unfavourably. The Church’s pastors “acknowledge the many difficult conversations taking place around the country regarding our painful legacy,” and assert that “It is incumbent upon us to assist survivors and their communities in finding healing from traumas they suffered.” They also express deep gratitude "for the relationships we have established with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. We want to continue to walk side by side in solidarity."

This commitment to continued solidarity runs through the letter. It looks forward to a deepened "Path of Unity and Hope," with the implication that the work done over the last two years will continue apace. One avenue that the bishops might embark upon is fostering greater awareness among the wider Canadian Church of these efforts, and to that end they "encourage the Catholic community to review the work of the IRF and promote opportunities to come." Other concrete tasks that the CCCB looks forward to are the development of "academic collaborations to understand the concepts commonly associated with the 'Doctrine of Discovery,'" and working with the federal government to address "shared concerns, such as the Indigenous belongings currently held at the Vatican museums."

Beyond this, the letter expresses a humble and open-ended approach to the CCCB's evolving relationship with Indigenous communities. The bishops opt for the principle of subsidiarity, or localized leadership, especially in light of calls for “more rigorous investigations into reports of unmarked burial sites” and other investigations and research into the history of residential schools:

"Let us keep in mind that this deep desire for truth and transparency resides first with Indigenous communities and residential school survivors. Decisions to study this history are best made locally by Indigenous leaders, who have the most direct understanding of the needs of their respective communities."

Similarly, the letter recalls that the above-mentioned Guidelines for access and documenting records is intended to undergird this work of truth-telling, rather than direct it or needlessly restrict it.

It concludes on a rather synodal note, one that is rooted in Pope Francis' oft-repeated themes of mutual accompaniment and encounter:

"The way of reconciliation and hope is one that must be walked together. That is why we shall continue to listen to and support survivors and Indigenous communities during this journey. We are grateful to all who accompany us on this path of healing and reconciliation."

Salt + Light Media has produced two original documentaries on the backdrop to Pope Francis' Visit to Canada, both of which are available now on Salt + Light Plus.
The award-winning "Walking Together" accompanies Elders and bishops to Rome to ask the pope to make his historic apology on Indigenous and Canadian soil.
The follow-up feature, "Walking Together: Into One Beat" journeys with those preparing for and responding to his visit in 2022. Both films tell movingly personal stories of suffering, reconciliation, and hope.