Each day there is more outpouring of grief, concern, and dismay over the news of the Indigenous students remains found at Kamloops residential school.
Statement of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops:
On behalf of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), I express our deepest sorrow for the heartrending loss of the children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. The news of the recent discovery is shocking. It rekindles trauma in numerous communities across this land. Honouring the dignity of the lost little ones demands that the truth be brought to light. This tragedy profoundly impacts Indigenous communities, with whom many people across this land and throughout the world now stand in solidarity. As we see ever more clearly the pain and suffering of the past, the Bishops of Canada pledge to continue walking side by side with Indigenous Peoples in the present, seeking greater healing and reconciliation for the future. We lift up prayers to the Lord for the children who have lost their lives and pledge our close accompaniment of Indigenous families and communities. May our Creator God bless all of us with consolation and hope. + Richard Gagnon Archbishop of Winnipeg and President of the Canadian
Message from St. Thomas University, Fredericton, New Brunswick:
Message to Community – Campus Flags Lowered to Commemorate Discovery of Children’s Bodies at Former Residential School We have lowered the flags on our campus to commemorate and honour the 215 Indigenous children whose remains have been discovered at the site of a former residential school in British Columbia. This step is being taken by many levels of government and institutions across the country, including at the Peace Tower in Ottawa. The discovery of the site of these undocumented deaths was announced Thursday. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation had previously estimated there were 51 deaths of children at that school and there is now evidence of many more. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission established that 3,200 children died while at Residential Schools, with estimates as high as 6,000, and recommendations from the TRC Calls to Action deal with missing children. It is important that society faces the true depth of these horrific events which continue to impact individuals, families, and communities to this day. Discoveries such as this one in British Columbia remind us of the work that must be done through education, collaboration, and action. At STU, we are committed to continuing to work together with our Senate Committee on Reconciliation, our Indigenous Student Services team, our Student Reconciliation Committee, and Indigenous communities and leaders to achieve progress towards reconciliation as a university community and society. Please remember that student services at STU remain available to all students. Do not hesitate to contact Student Mental Health Services, Indigenous Students Services, or any of our support services should you require them.
Dawn Russell President and Vice-Chancellor
Bishop Fabbro's Statement on the Tragic Discovery at the Former Kamloops Residential School
May 31, 2021
I am shocked and profoundly saddened by the horrifying discovery of the remains of at least 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.
When the operation of residential schools was delegated by the federal government to several Christian faith-based groups, there were many failures in fulfilling Christ's mission of bringing the good news of the kingdom of God and helping the oppressed, including failures of the Catholic Church.
The presence of the graves of these innocent ones sheds light on a clear failure of those responsible in not embracing the Gospel values of love, mercy, justice and compassion, and for forgetting their commitment to respect the dignity of all people. These lost innocent ones are another reason why we must continue to learn from these failings and work with Indigenous communities towards the healing called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Yesterday, a memorial was placed at St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica in London as part of a nation-wide commemoration of the lost children. I visited the memorial today to pray, asking God to bring comfort to the families of the deceased and all survivors of the residential school system. We will continue to pray for the families of these children and survivors and commit ourselves to playing a constructive role in the journey towards healing and reconciliation.
Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, CSB
Bishop of London
