'I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil...': Pope Francis' apology for church's role in residential schools leaves Canadians divided

Warning: This story may be disturbing for some readers. For

On Monday, while in Maskwacis, Alta., Pope Francis apologized for the Catholic Church’s cooperation in Indigenous residential schools and the forced assimilation of Indigenous peoples.

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. Sorry for the ways in which, regrettably, many Christians supported the colonizing mentality of the powers that oppressed the Indigenous Peoples.Pope Francis

"I am sorry. I ask forgiveness, in particular, for the ways in which many members of the Church and of religious communities co-operated, 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."

He went on to call for a "serious investigation" into what took place, "to assist the survivors of the residential schools to experience healing from the traumas they suffered."

"I myself wish to reaffirm this, with shame and unambiguously," the Pope said.

I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous Peoples.Pope Francis

"Although Christian charity was not absent, and there were many outstanding instances of devotion and care for children, the overall effects of the policies linked to the residential schools were catastrophic."

MASKWACIS, AB - JULY 25: People react as Pope Francis issues an apology for the treatment of First Nations in Canada's Residential School system his visit to Maskwacis, Canada on July 25, 2022. The Pope is touring Canada, meeting with Indigenous communities and community leaders in an effort to reconcile the harmful legacy of the church's role in Canada's residential schools. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) (Cole Burston via Getty Images)

While the apology happened for Canada, and the world, to see and hear, many took to social media to comment on this appearance by Pope Francis, some saying it doesn't go far enough.

Listening to the Pope speak at Maskwacis and while he spoke of the abuses endured at Residential Schools I noted he made zero mention of the sexual abuses that occurred.

— Aylan (AY like Day - LAN like LandBack) Couchie (@AylanX) July 25, 2022

And so it begins.. Inbox filling up with Canadians who are angry because I said the Pope’s apology doesn’t do anything for my healing or a whole bunch of other Indigenous people I know.

The ‘be grateful, shut up, and accept the apology’ mentality remains a strong one.

— Ri / ᕒᐊᔦᓬᐄ (@Rileyyesnomaybe) July 24, 2022

The apology of actions of ‘many members’ does not equate to the entire church.

— nupqu ʔa·kǂam̓ (@Skink00ts) July 25, 2022

That is an important distinction. The apology frames the harm of residential schools as the unfortunate error of individuals and not the coordinated intent of genocide by the Catholic Church, the Papacy, the Holy See.

— nupqu ʔa·kǂam̓ (@Skink00ts) July 25, 2022

There is a lot of attention on the Pope's visit this week, but let's not forget there remains thousands of graves of children yet to be found and no one has yet been held accountable for their deaths. This work is only just beginning.

— Dr. Kisha Supernant (she/her) (@ArchaeoMapper) July 25, 2022

On this historic day, I honour all Residential ‘School’ Survivors and the little ones who did not make it back home to their families.

I honour those who fought for years to have the @Pontifex’s apology.

I hope it brings some semblance of healing to those who need to hear it.

— Nahanni Fontaine (@NahanniFontaine) July 25, 2022

Now is not the time for Settlers to offer any unwarranted and unsolicited opinions on the Pope’s visit.

Don’t take up space.

Offer support and just take time to learn what this apology means to some Residential ‘School’ Survivors.

— Nahanni Fontaine (@NahanniFontaine) July 25, 2022

The Pope's visit is going to bring out a lot of emotions for Indigenous peoples, and I wanna remind everyone there's no one right way to feel about it. It will be healing for some, trauma for others and we can hold space for both.

— Anthony/Shelagh (@AnthonyFoard) July 25, 2022

Hi, the National Indian Residential School crisis line is 1(866)-925-4419.

In the coming days please understand the Pope’s visit will impact survivors and family of survivors differently. One day at a time we shall find means to get stronger.

— Cadmus (@cadmusd) July 25, 2022