By Kiply Lukan Yaworski and Myron Rogal, Catholic Saskatoon News
The Oct. 27 announcement from the Vatican that Pope Francis has accepted an invitation to visit Canada is welcome news for many in Saskatchewan.
In the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, representatives on the Diocesan Council for Truth and Reconciliation (DCTR) reflected on the news from the Vatican that Pope Francis “has indicated his willingness to visit the country on a date to be settled in due course,” with the visit happening “in the context of the long-standing pastoral process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.”
Elder Gayle Weenie of the DCTR reacted to the news with joy. “I am happy! This is good news,” she said. “This will help with the healing for some people and we look forward to Pope Francis’ visit, remembering that it is important to keep praying for him and his health and safe arrival.”
DCTR member and Our Lady of Guadalupe Elder Irene Sharp — who is also a member of the Saskatoon Survivors Circle — said that while she cannot speak for every residential school survivor, she personally welcomes the news that the Pope has accepted the invitation. “For me, it will be a good thing to have Pope Francis come to Canada,” she said. “It will help.”
DCTR member MaryAnne Morrison says she is not sure what difference the visit will make. “We have had lots of apologies from the Church already,” she said. “What we really need to work on is internalized racism, so that all Canadians can participate on an equal playing field.”
However, Morrison also went on to say: “Any gesture of reaching out is valuable.”
Saskatchewan’s Catholic bishops are among those who have been working and praying for Pope Francis to visit Canada as part of the Church’s journey of truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. They are also among those expressing gratitude and joy in hearing that the longed-for visit will finally take place.
“I am very grateful for the news. I pray that it will be not just a political but a spiritual encounter,” said Archbishop Murray Chatlain of the northern archdiocese of Keewatin-LePas. “I pray that it will be a source of encouragement for our many Catholic Indigenous lay leaders and people. ”
In a message to the diocese Oct.. 27, Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon said: “I join with others across our diocese and our country who are rejoicing in the news that Pope Francis has accepted the invitation of the Catholic bishops of Canada to visit our country on a pilgrimage of healing and reconciliation. Details and timing have yet to be worked out, and will follow after the visit and discussion with the delegation of Indigenous leaders this coming December (in Rome).”
Hagemoen noted that in recent years, both Catholic and Indigenous leaders have been working toward Call to Action #58, in which the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called for Pope Francis to visit Canada “to issue an apology to Survivors, their families, and communities for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children in Catholic-run residential schools.” (Calls to Action, Truth and Reconciliation Commission)
“I have heard from many residential school Survivors and their communities that a visit from Pope Francis on Canadian soil is an important step for many in the ongoing journey of truth and reconciliation. I am grateful for both the invitation and its acceptance, and I trust that the pastoral presence of the Holy Father will bring support and healing, as well as renewed awareness and zeal for the ongoing journey of truth and reconciliation,” said Hagemoen.
“Please join me in praying for all those who attended residential schools, for those who continue to suffer because of the legacy of the schools, for the delegation of Indigenous leaders from Canada that will meet with the Holy Father in Rome this December, and for Pope Francis and his planned journey to our land.” – Bishop Mark Hagemoen
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