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Pope Benedict to discuss residential schools
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Filed Under: First Nations | National

Update: The Pope expressed regret for the Catholic Church's role in the Native residential school system in Canada though AFN Chief Phil Fontaine would not characterize it as an official apology. The following was released by the Vatican:

His Holiness recalled that since the earliest days of her presence in Canada, the Church, particularly through her missionary personnel, has closely accompanied the indigenous peoples. Given the sufferings that some indigenous children experienced in the Canadian Residential School system, the Holy Father expressed his sorrow at the anguish caused by the deplorable conduct of some members of the Church and he offered his sympathy and prayerful solidarity. His Holiness emphasized that acts of abuse cannot be tolerated in society. He prayed that all those affected would experience healing, and he encouraged First Nations Peoples to continue to move forward with renewed hope.

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A delegation from Canada will meet with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on Wednesday, CBC News reports.

The pope is expected to discuss the Catholic Church's role in the residential school system. Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine called the meeting historic.

"We're going to be in conversation with the Holy Father, and we're going to talk about the residential school experience," Fontaine told CBC News.

Native elders and residential school survivors will be a part of the meeting.

Get the Story:
First Nations delegation to meet privately with Pope (CBC 4/28)