[Sundaycommunity] A recent letter of TO Archbishop

[Catherine Cavanagh]

I agree with Mario and Catherine W.  When we want to bless a same sex
couple or allow a woman to preach it's all about what Rome says, but when
accountability is demanded or payment is due we're all 'independent'.  This
is a shameful response.

Catherine C.

On Sun, Jun 6, 2021 at 2:47 PM Lee Piepgrass via Sundaycommunity <
sundaycommunity at lists.integralshift.ca> wrote:

> More helpful information! Thanks!
>
> On Jun 6, 2021, at 2:34 PM, Mario Calla via Sundaycommunity <
> sundaycommunity at lists.integralshift.ca> wrote:
>
> 
> I agree with Catherine. I would add that Cardinal Collins has repeated, as
> this letter affirms, that there is no Roman Catholic Church of Canada and
> that each diocese and religious order is an independent legal entity as a
> reason why “the Church” has not apologized. This is a legal facade as we
> know that the Catholic Church is the most centralized and hierarchical of
> mainline churches. No diocese or religious order dares to step out of line
> even if they are legally independent. It is time for more than expressions
> of regret. The Pope needs to offer an official apology for the wrongs of
> the past in order to support reconciliation and healing.
>
> Mario
>
> On Sun, Jun 6, 2021 at 1:54 PM Catherine Walther via Sundaycommunity <
> sundaycommunity at lists.integralshift.ca> wrote:
>
>> Actually it’s been documented that they have not apologized. They have
>> issued statements of regret. Anyone can offer regret. Only those
>> responsible can offer an apology. I’m sorry to say this but it’s the same
>> as with abuse of children by priests, the Church seems to be afraid of
>> litigation and so is very careful with its responses. For a Church that
>> stresses sin and forgiveness and more recently stresses social sin, it has
>> a hard time confessing its own institutional sin. We need to encourage our
>> priests to put pressure on the Bishops to invite Pope Francis to Canada to
>> give the APOLOGY that the TRC calls for in # 58 of the recommendations.
>> Catherine
>>
>> On Sun, Jun 6, 2021 at 12:51 PM Roberto J. via Sundaycommunity <
>> sundaycommunity at lists.integralshift.ca> wrote:
>>
>>> I found this letter interesting even though I have not much real
>>> information of the details mentioned. It was send to all Holy Rosary
>>> parishioners that have their email registered at the parish.
>>>
>>>
>>> June 3, 2021
>>>
>>>
>>> “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it.” (1 Cor 12:26)
>>>
>>> In recent days, the country has been shocked, saddened and angered by
>>> the discovery of the remains of 215 children in unmarked graves who
>>> attended a residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. We pray
>>> for the children who died in Kamloops and in residential schools
>>> throughout the country – they must not be forgotten. We must also
>>> recognize the betrayal of trust by many Catholic leaders who were
>>> responsible for operating residential schools, abandoning their
>>> obligation to care for young and innocent children.
>>>
>>> We all seek the truth and this tragic discovery provides yet another
>>> opportunity for us to learn more about this dark chapter in our
>>> history and the painful journey experienced by so many of our
>>> Indigenous brothers and sisters.
>>>
>>> There is much more work to be done. Since the 1990’s, many of the
>>> Catholic entities responsible for the operation of residential schools
>>> have apologized publicly for their actions and have journeyed together
>>> with victims on the path to truth and reconciliation. This includes
>>> the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the religious order that operated the
>>> residential school in Kamloops, which over the weekend again
>>> apologized for its role in the residential school system. Pope
>>> Benedict XVI also had the chance to meet with Indigenous leaders in
>>> 2009 to personally express his sorrow and anguish.
>>>
>>> These actions do not erase our history; they acknowledge our past,
>>> force us to face the consequences of our behaviour and compel us to
>>> ensure that our sins are not repeated.
>>>
>>> While the Archdiocese of Toronto did not operate residential schools,
>>> we join with the Indigenous peoples, the Catholic community and
>>> Canadians from coast to coast to coast in a period of collective grief
>>> for those who are physically, emotionally and spiritually wounded.
>>> This Sunday, I will offer Mass for those who died or were abused at
>>> residential schools and for all those who deal with the
>>> intergenerational trauma caused by this system. We must also continue
>>> to build on the tangible initiatives present throughout the country,
>>> like the Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle, where bishops and priests,
>>> women religious, laity and Indigenous peoples are committed to walking
>>> together on a path to reconciliation.
>>>
>>> As I have stated previously when speaking of abuse in the Church, the
>>> real scandal is when evil festers in the darkness. Once in the open,
>>> evil can be rooted out. That must happen. Then new life can begin. Let
>>> us journey together to find light through the darkness once again.
>>>
>>> Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us.
>>>
>>> Thomas Collins
>>> Archbishop of Toronto
>>>
>>> Apology from the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
>>> Additional resources from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
>>> Frequently Asked Questions re Catholic Organizations and Residential
>>> Schools
>>>
>>> Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Residential Schools – June 2021
>>>
>>> There has been considerable media coverage and discussion in recent
>>> days following the discovery of children’s remains at the former
>>> residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. The discovery has
>>> reopened a painful wound for many in our country and has identified
>>> the need for all Canadians to learn more about our history, the role
>>> of residential schools as part of that journey and to seek the truth
>>> regarding all those who suffered and continue to do so to this day.
>>>
>>> The abuse of Indigenous peoples is a dark chapter in the history of
>>> Canada and the Catholic Church. While the Church has cared for and
>>> served Indigenous people in many ways, it is undeniable that some
>>> members of the Church undermined the dignity of First Nations people.
>>> There is evidence that much of this abuse occurred at residential
>>> schools, which were largely operated by Christian denominations.
>>>
>>> This communication is intended to provide some context and address
>>> some frequently asked questions about this important issue. We must
>>> all join in the collective efforts on the path to healing and
>>> reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
>>>
>>>
>>> 1. I am deeply troubled by the discovery of children’s remains in
>>> Kamloops on the site of a former residential school. Who operated the
>>> school?
>>>
>>> The discovery of 215 unmarked graves in late May 2021 will require
>>> further investigation to help seek the truth of who these children
>>> were, how they died and how they were buried so far from home. The
>>> school was built and initially operated by the federal government,
>>> opening in 1890. In 1892, the federal government asked a Catholic
>>> order, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, to take over
>>> operations, which they did until 1969. The federal government resumed
>>> operations of the school from 1969 until its closure in 1979.
>>>
>>> The religious order issued a formal apology in 1991 in addition to
>>> paying settlements to residential school survivors. An excerpt of the
>>> apology reads as follows:
>>>
>>> “We wish to apologize in a very particular way for the instances of
>>> physical and sexual abuse that occurred in those schools…Far from
>>> attempting to defend or rationalize these cases of abuse in any way,
>>> we wish to state publicly that we acknowledge they were inexcusable,
>>> intolerable and a betrayal of trust in one of its most serious forms.
>>> We deeply and very specifically, apologize to every victim of such
>>> abuse and we seek help in searching for means to bring about healing.”
>>>
>>> 2. Is the Catholic Church assisting with the efforts to seek the truth
>>> in Kamloops and elsewhere?
>>>
>>> Father Ken Thorson, current Superior of the Missionary Oblates of Mary
>>> Immaculate, has reached out to the Tk'emlups te Secwépemc Chief
>>> Rosanne Casimir to offer assistance and to express sympathies
>>> following the discovery of the remains of 215 children on the grounds
>>> of the former school. Father Thorson has communicated that records
>>> from the Kamloops Indian Residential School are with the Royal British
>>> Columbia Museum and has indicated the order will assist in sharing any
>>> information regarding records at this and other locations where the
>>> order operated schools.
>>>
>>> Among the groups of dioceses and religious communities that operated
>>> residential schools, there is a spirit of cooperation with Indigenous
>>> peoples with regards to personal records and information relating to
>>> the former schools. At the same time, there are also privacy rights,
>>> including those of Indigenous peoples who attended these schools,
>>> which need to be taken into consideration on a case by case basis.
>>>
>>> 3. Why aren’t we hearing an apology from the Catholic Church in Canada?
>>>
>>> There is no such entity as the Catholic Church of Canada. Each
>>> Catholic diocese and religious order is an independent legal entity.
>>> Despite this reality, in 1991, Canadian Catholic Bishops, along with
>>> leaders of men and women religious communities, issued a statement
>>> that “We are sorry and deeply regret the pain, suffering and
>>> alienation that so many experienced” at residential schools.
>>>
>>> Approximately 16 out of 70 Roman Catholic dioceses in Canada were
>>> associated with the former residential schools, in addition to about
>>> three dozen out of over one hundred Catholic institutes (commonly
>>> referred to as religious orders). Each diocese and institute is
>>> corporately and legally responsible for its own actions.
>>>
>>> Many of the dioceses or orders operating schools have offered
>>> apologies, dating back to the early 1990s. In recent days, many
>>> bishops throughout Canada have offered statements and introduced other
>>> initiatives to continue our ongoing path to truth and reconciliation.
>>>
>>> A listing of some of the numerous apologies and other resources can be
>>> found at:
>>>
>>> http://bit.ly/CCCBreconciliationDocuments
>>>
>>> 4. Did the Archdiocese of Toronto operate residential schools?
>>>
>>> The Archdiocese of Toronto did not operate residential schools yet we
>>> share the collective grief and sorrow as the result of any
>>> representative of the Catholic Church inflicting pain or abuse on an
>>> individual, especially vulnerable children.
>>>
>>> 5. Have Indigenous leaders met with the Pope?
>>>
>>> Yes, in 2009, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations,
>>> Phil Fontaine, along with other Indigenous representatives, had a
>>> moving encounter with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. In describing
>>> the meeting, Chief Fontaine told the media he hoped the expression of
>>> regret would “close the book” on the issue of apologies for
>>> residential school survivors.
>>>
>>> Another attendee at the meeting with Pope Benedict, Edward John, Grand
>>> Chief of the First Nations Summit in British Columbia, said the Pope
>>> acknowledged the suffering of those who are still living with the
>>> effects of their experiences at the schools. In comments to the media
>>> he said, “I think in that sense, there was that apology that we were
>>> certainly looking for.”
>>>
>>> The Catholic Church continues to work alongside and with Indigenous
>>> communities in order to foster an ongoing culture of reconciliation.
>>> There have been, and continue to be, numerous initiatives by Catholic
>>> dioceses, institutes and organizations throughout Canada to assist
>>> with support the ongoing healing and reconciliation journey.
>>>
>>> 6. I understand there was a formal request in the Truth and
>>> Reconciliation Commission report for the Pope to personally apologize
>>> in Canada?
>>>
>>> The Holy Father has already been invited to Canada by the present and
>>> previous Prime Minister. The Catholic Bishops of Canada, including the
>>> current and past Presidents of the Canadian Conference of Catholic
>>> Bishops, have assured the Pope they would joyfully and gratefully
>>> welcome him in a visit to Canada. Likewise, in a number of instances,
>>> Canadian Bishops, individually and collectively, have formally invited
>>> Pope Francis to visit, including with specific reference to Call to
>>> Action #58 (a recommendation of the 2015 Truth & Reconciliation
>>> Commission asking the Holy Father to apologize on Canadian soil within
>>> one year of the report being issued).
>>>
>>> Pope Francis has encouraged the Bishops to continue taking leadership
>>> and assuming their proper role in pursuing their pastoral engagement
>>> and reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples, including ongoing
>>> conversations among the Bishops and Elders. This work builds on past
>>> apologies, dialogue and the desire to move forward together.
>>>
>>> A formal papal visit involves a number of steps from both government
>>> and church leadership as well as significant logistical, financial
>>> commitments and other considerations. No papal visit has been publicly
>>> announced at this time.
>>>
>>> 7. Will the Catholic Church pay financial reparations to those harmed
>>> by residential schools?
>>>
>>> The Catholic entities that operated residential schools were part of
>>> the 2006 Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA).
>>>
>>> The Holy See and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops were
>>> never involved in running the former schools. The “Roman Catholic
>>> Entities” named as parties in the IRSSA were legally deemed to have
>>> fulfilled the requirements of the settlement agreement by a judicial
>>> review. Following this review, the former Conservative government
>>> released the entities from further obligations – a decision which the
>>> present Liberal government did not appeal.
>>>
>>> The 50 or so individual entities which signed the IRSSA paid:
>>>
>>>    i.            $29 million in cash (less legal costs);
>>>
>>>    ii.           more than the required $25 million of “in-kind”
>>> contributions; and
>>>
>>>    iii.          an additional $3.7 million from a “best efforts”
>>> campaign.
>>>
>>> Those same entities, together with other dioceses, institutes and
>>> national Catholic organizations, continue to be involved in efforts
>>> across the country to provide in-kind contributions, which go well
>>> beyond the scope of the Indian Residential School Settlement
>>> Agreement.
>>>
>>> 8. Where can I find additional resources?
>>>
>>> Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle is a Catholic coalition of Indigenous
>>> people, bishops, lay movements, clergy and institutes of consecrated
>>> life, engaged in renewing and fostering relationships between the
>>> Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada. For more information
>>> visit: www.ourladyofguadalupecircle.ca.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Copyright © 2021 | Archdiocese of Toronto, All rights reserved.
>>>
>>>
>>> Our mailing address is:
>>> Archdiocese of Toronto
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/Toronto+%0D%0A1155+Yonge+Street+%0D%0AToronto,+Ontario+M4T+1W2?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>> 1155 Yonge Street
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/Toronto+%0D%0A1155+Yonge+Street+%0D%0AToronto,+Ontario+M4T+1W2?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>> Toronto, Ontario M4T 1W2
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/Toronto+%0D%0A1155+Yonge+Street+%0D%0AToronto,+Ontario+M4T+1W2?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> Want to change how you receive these emails?
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Sundaycommunity mailing list
>>> Sundaycommunity at lists.integralshift.ca
>>>
>>> http://lists.integralshift.ca/listinfo.cgi/sundaycommunity-integralshift.ca
>>>
>> --
>>
>> *May you walk in joy as love calls us on.*
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sundaycommunity mailing list
>> Sundaycommunity at lists.integralshift.ca
>>
>> http://lists.integralshift.ca/listinfo.cgi/sundaycommunity-integralshift.ca
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Sundaycommunity mailing list
> Sundaycommunity at lists.integralshift.ca
> http://lists.integralshift.ca/listinfo.cgi/sundaycommunity-integralshift.ca
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sundaycommunity mailing list
> Sundaycommunity at lists.integralshift.ca
> http://lists.integralshift.ca/listinfo.cgi/sundaycommunity-integralshift.ca
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.integralshift.ca/private.cgi/sundaycommunity-integralshift.ca/attachments/20210606/338f1239/attachment-0001.html>