Immediately after his arrival in Quebec, Pope Francis apologized again and expressed his “shame” at the abuses that representatives of the Catholic Church have inflicted on indigenous communities for generations.
• Also read: Many Aborigines disappointed by Holy Father’s speech
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“This history of pain and contempt that stems from a colonizing mentality is not easily healed,” the Holy Father conceded during a lengthy speech aimed at reconnecting with First Nations on Wednesday night.
After making a similar apology to Indigenous communities Monday in Maskwacis, Alberta, many feared his visit to Quebec would look like a party.
He also beamed on his arrival at the Citadel as he was greeted by the country’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon.
But it wasn’t long before Pope Francis put on a solemn expression, aware of the reasons that had drawn him to the Old Capital.
Much to learn
“Our desire is to renew the relationship between the Church and the indigenous peoples of Canada, a relationship marked both by a love that has borne outstanding fruit and, unfortunately, by wounds that we promise to understand and heal “, he said.
The Holy Father also allowed himself a few asides on non-First Nations issues.
Greeted by songs and a traditional ritual aimed at encouraging dialogue and forgiveness, the sovereign pope appeared attentive to the remarks made by the indigenous dignitaries.
Not the end of the matter
He also said he wanted to promote indigenous cultures in all their facets, affirming that representatives of these peoples “have a lot to teach us”.
For his part, Prime Minister Trudeau recalled that indigenous peoples have been waiting for an apology since 2015, when the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was published.
In his speech on Monday, some indigenous personalities also complained that the Holy Father had not made any reference to sexual violence or acknowledged the responsibility of the Catholic Church as an institution.
“Reconciliation is the responsibility of all of us. But asking for forgiveness is not the end of the matter,” Mr. Trudeau said, addressing Pope Francis in particular.
A visit marked by restraint
The newspaper spoke to theologian Jean-Guy Nadeau to analyze Pope Francis’ speech on Wednesday and the reception he received in Quebec.
The Faith of the Survivors
Many Residential School survivors were present on the Plains despite the horrors they had endured in the clergy.
“Your faith impresses me. Despite what they have experienced, they still appreciate the presence of the Pope and his words,” says theologian Jean-Guy Nadeau.
The latter notes that the Holy Father’s regrets were clearer than what he has expressed in recent days.
“It seemed to me that his plea for forgiveness was addressed more to the people who were there than to God. »
scattered speech
Pope Francis said it again: his visit to Canada is a penitential pilgrimage aimed at reconciliation with indigenous peoples.
However, the theologian Jean-Guy Nadeau regrets that the high priest addressed so many other issues in his speech: the reception of Ukrainians, the importance of the environment, poverty…
“My problem is that he talked about too many other topics [que les torts faits aux Premières Nations]. The environment is cute, but that’s not what the Aborigines wanted to hear,” he says.
Busy atmosphere
Pope Francis’ rather reserved welcome contrasts with that of John Paul II in 1984.
“John Paul II came in all his glory at 64, while Pope Francis is loved by the people but not a star,” argues the professor emeritus.
And the context is completely different as the church now acknowledges the devastation of the boarding schools it runs.
“This time we are far away from the party. The Pope talks about difficult things,” says Mr. Nadeau.
— Interview by Nora T. Lamontagne