The Pope’s silence was untenable

Silence is golden, they say. But not in all circumstances. For many residential school victims and their loved ones, the Pope’s silence had become untenable. Particularly in the wake of discoveries of children’s remains at former residential school sites over the past year.

Let us not forget that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, in its 94 calls to action made public at the end of its work, had called for a speedy apology from the Pope on behalf of the Catholic Church. It was in 2015!

We must therefore welcome the decision taken by Pope Francis to speak about it frankly (to utter the word “apology”) and publicly. And not behind closed doors, half-heartedly, as his predecessor Benedict XVI had done. Let’s see now if concrete actions will follow, such as access to the archives on this subject. It would also be crucial.

The gesture is historic and its significance should not be underestimated. On the other hand, it should not be exaggerated either. The federal government, under Stephen Harper, apologized for Indian residential schools nearly 15 years ago. An essential initiative, but the wounds did not heal overnight.

The apologies presented Friday at the Vatican are fundamental and they will be repeated shortly in Canada. But the road to healing and reconciliation is a long one.