Pope Francis Issues Apology To Indigenous for Catholic Abuses in Canada

Pope Francis Issues Apology To Indigenous, for Catholic Abuses in Canada.

Pope Francis issued the apology from Rome on behalf of the Catholic Church for abuses and crimes committed against Indigenous people at Catholic-run institutions in Canada.

Pope Francis issued the apology from Rome on behalf of the Catholic Church for abuses and crimes committed against Indigenous people at Catholic-run institutions in Canada.

For the deplorable conduct of those members of the Catholic Church, I ask forgiveness of the Lord, Pope Francis, via AP.

And I want to tell you from my heart, that I am greatly pained.

And I unite myself with the Canadian bishops in apologizing, Pope Francis, via AP.

It is chilling to think of determined efforts to instill a sense of inferiority, to rob people of their cultural identity, to sever their roots, , Pope Francis, via AP.

... and to consider all the personal and social effects that this continues to entail: unresolved traumas that have become inter-generational traumas, Pope Francis, via AP.

Francis committed to visiting Canada during the summer to apologize in person.

The heads of Indigenous communities in the region responded to the pope's apology.

The pope’s words today were historic, to be sure.

They were necessary, and I appreciate them deeply, Cassidy Caron, Metis National Council, via AP.

Today is a day that we’ve been waiting for.

And certainly one that will be uplifted in our history, Gerald Antoine, First Nations’ Chief, via AP.

It’s a historical first step, however, only a first step, Gerald Antoine, First Nations’ Chief, via AP.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also responded to the apology issued by Pope Francis.

Today’s apology is a step forward in acknowledging the truth of our past in order to right historical wrongs, but there is still work to be done, Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister, via AP