Catholic churches on P.E.I. offer apologies over residential schools

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

Charlottetown's Catholic diocese posted a public apology on Friday for all of the Catholic Church's role in Indigenous residential schools and someindividual priests on P.E.I. have done the same.

The Catholic Church ran the majority of residential schools in Canada.

Father John Molina, pastor atSt. Simon and St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, saidhe's been reflecting a lot over the past week.

The Tk'emlps te Secwpemc First Nation announced last weekthat preliminary findings from a survey conducted by a specialist in ground-penetrating radarindicatedthe remains of around 215 children could be buried on the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report on Canada's residentialschool system details the harsh mistreatment of Indigenous children at the government-funded, church-operated institutions, where ongoing research says at least 4,100 children died in a climate ofneglect.

Molina said his reflections include the Church's role running that school, and so many others.

And the fact he's only reflecting on that now.

"I think that is the correct question:Why we are surprised?" said Molina."Why we didn't know before? With our lack of knowledge, with our lack of action, with my lack of understanding."

Molina posted on social media this week that he is personally sorry for the Church's actions.

The Charlottetown diocese issued its own apology online.

"The truth, as painful as it is, needs to be heard," said Father Brian MacDougall, speaking on behalf of the diocese in the written statement. "This is the only way for authentic healing and reconciliation between the Indigenous peoples and the Church.

"I am truly sorry for the harms experienced by the Indigenous children who were forced to attend these schools and their families and communities."

Church's role in the schools

Indigenous groups and others have long called for the head of the church the Pope to formally apologize.

That still hasn't happenedbut Molina thinks that it should.

"I think we have to have that conscience. We should ask for mercy. This was part of our lives. It was seen and we need to ask for forgiveness."

The chiefs of P.E.I.'s two First Nations have indicated thatthey've seen the apologies from some Island priests and the diocese.

They're still thinking through their responseand declined to comment just yet.

Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools, and those who are triggered by the latest reports.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

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