A group of First Nations expressed their disappointment and concern on Friday after learning that only 400 places will be reserved for survivors of residential schools for Aboriginals at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré during the visit of Pope Francis on July 28. .
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) asks the Church that reconciliation and healing for residential school survivors remain at the heart of Pope Francis’ visit.
The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré website reports that organizers of the papal mass expect between 10,000 and 15,000 people to attend with space for guests inside and outside. exterior of the basilica. A broadcast of the mass will also be offered on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec.
The Chief of the AFNQL, Ghislain Picard, regrets that his organization only has a few days to provide 400 names, while he estimates the number of residential school survivors at a few thousand among the First Nations.
“Since the focus of this visit, according to the Church, is to deliver an apology here in Canada to survivors and survivors, well, out of 1,600 places, we should have at least half”, estimates- he.
According to current plans, it looks like the pope will be heading to the basilica to deliver an apology before an audience of people mostly made up of people who aren’t concerned.
Chief Picard believes it is essential to assure the survivors of closeness to the pope, as the event represents for them an essential step in their journey towards healing. This is the very objective of the Pope’s visit, added Chief Picard.
He recalls that the Church’s apologies are long overdue and that they must be made with welcome and compassion.
“Is there a way that the visit will live up to what survivors expect? This is the only question to ask there, ”argues Mr. Picard.
“If the real intention of the Vatican is to allow this contact, in order to contribute to the healing process of survivors and survivors, well, I think that we should attach a little more importance to the presence of these,” he adds.
It is expected that Pope Francis will arrive in Quebec on July 27, in the middle of the afternoon. He must first go to meet state representatives at the Citadelle of Quebec and the Plains of Abraham.
Mass at Sainte-Anne de Beaupré will take place the next day at 10:00 a.m. In the afternoon, he will meet with several members of the clergy, deacons and pastoral workers at the Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral-Basilica. Thursday, July 29, the pope will have private talks in Quebec with members of the Society of Jesus before having a meeting with a delegation of Aboriginals from Eastern Canada at the Archdiocese of Quebec.
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador brings together 43 chiefs.