The pope came to Canada and practically ignored the country’s Catholic believers and practitioners. The 85-year-old man with difficult journeys has focused his messages and his attention on one group: the natives. The program of his entire trip, like each of his speeches, centered on the desired reconciliation.
Despicable, unspeakable things happened in residential schools. This is why the apology had to come from the highest level. This is also the reason why the subject takes up so much space and why words of reconciliation must be accompanied by financial compensation and concrete actions.
On vacation, I followed with a clear but attentive eye the reactions to the speeches of outstretched hand of Pope Francis. Not enough, not the right words, not emotionally felt enough, not far enough, not as strong in Quebec as in Edmonton… Lots of negatives. We come to wonder what was expected.
Nothing to do
I heard the reaction of many Quebecers who felt that the dice were loaded. Some First Nations representatives gave the impression that no matter what was said or done, it would always be called insufficient.
As if we wanted to keep a rubber band taut to get more. As if one had the impression that by accepting this outstretched hand, the whole file would be closed. As if a positive participation in the process of reconciliation would have the effect of removing all the pressure on the process of reparation.
This way of reasoning has reached its limit. The efforts for reconciliation are so enormous that we are now in another phase. First Nations have experienced indifference and fear of turning back. But at this point, the biggest risk is quite different.
If strong gestures of reconciliation remain without a positive response, it is the promoters of reconciliation in society who will run out of steam.
The pope is coming, it’s not enough. The Trudeau government has more than doubled the budgets allocated to First Nations: it is too little. There is a point when even those most open to these repair efforts will end up saying to themselves that it is a waste of time, that the efforts will never be appreciated.
This would open the door wide to political parties who would propose, on the contrary, to put a stop to the process. Which wouldn’t be in anyone’s interest.
By step
Repairing such serious faults takes time and effort. A process that takes time is necessarily a multi-step process. Anyone who climbs a high mountain must keep their eyes on the front, but they must also, at each successful stage, look back and congratulate themselves on the path taken and the pitfalls overcome. This will be a source of encouragement to persevere.
The same logic applies to the reconciliation process. Recent years have seen major advances.
And the Pope’s trip represents a very strong gesture that we must wholeheartedly welcome.