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In a speech in rural Canada before a crowd of indigenous Canadian people, Pope Francis publicly apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in running much of Canada’s government-sponsored residential school system. During more than a century of operation, the system worked to stamp out aspects of native culture, language, and religious practice. “I am here because the first step of my penitential pilgrimage among you is that of again asking forgiveness, of telling you once more that I am deeply sorry,” Pope Francis said in his July 25 speech. “Sorry for the ways in which, regrettably, many Christians supported the colonizing mentality of the powers that oppressed the indigenous peoples. I am sorry. I ask forgiveness, in particular, for the ways in which many members of the Church and of religious communities cooperated, not least through their indifference, in projects of cultural destruction and forced assimilation promoted by the governments of that time, which culminated in the system of residential schools.” The speech marked Pope Francis’ first public address since arriving in Canada on July 24 for a weeklong visit. Later that day, speaking to a group of Catholics at Sacred Heart parish in Edmonton, Pope Francis reiterated his “shame” and sorrow at the hurt caused by Catholics during the era of Canada’s residential school system, and praised the parish community as “a house for all, open and inclusive, just as the Church should be.” Today, on Tuesday July 26, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. Later today, he will participate in a pilgrimage to Lac Saint Anne, a site which plays host annually to thousands of pilgrims, billing itself as the largest annual Catholic gathering in western Canada. The pope will also celebrate a Liturgy of the Word at the site.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251870/pope-francis-apologizes-for-the-harm-done-to-indigenous-canadians-at-residential-schools
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251874/christ-offers-example-of-reconciliation-through-suffering-pope-francis-tells-indigenous-catholics-in-canada
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251871/no-remains-unearthed-yet-from-canada-residential-school-grave-sites
Today, the Church celebrates the parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anne. The couple's faith and perseverance brought them through the sorrow of childlessness, to the joy of conceiving and raising the immaculate and sinless woman who would give birth to Christ. The Church also celebrates Blessed William Ward, who ministered to the Catholic population and to the poor in London in the 17th century before his martyrdom.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/sts-anne-and-joachim-313
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/blessed-william-ward-434