Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
International

Trudeau Says Pope Appeared 'Open' To Idea Of A Residential Schools Apology

Darpan News Desk IANS, 29 May, 2017 12:08 PM
    VATICAN CITY — Canadians want to press ahead with reconciliation in the wake of the residential school era, Justin Trudeau said Monday as he described his efforts to encourage Pope Francis to apologize for the Catholic Church's role in the tragedy.
     
    The pontiff — who pointed out that he himself is no stranger to the cause of helping those who have been marginalized — seemed open to the idea, the prime minister said following his audience with Pope at the Vatican.
     
    "He reminded me that his entire life has been dedicated to supporting marginalized people in the world," Trudeau said.
     
    Pope Francis also expressed his enthusiasm for working with the prime minister and the Canadian bishops on finding a way forward on the issue of an apology, as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
     
    The commission included the demand for a papal apology — to survivors, their families and communities — as one of the 94 recommendations in its report on the dark history and legacy of residential schools.
     
    Trudeau, who has promised to act on each recommendation, had previously promised to speak to the Pope about an apology, but pointed out he could not compel the pontiff to agree.
     
    On Monday, Trudeau said he invited the Pope to visit Canada in the coming years, and thanked him for the global leadership he has shown on climate change. The pair discussed the importance of protecting the planet, he added.
     
    Trudeau, a religious Catholic, described the meeting as an opportunity for him to have a deeply personal discussion with the leader of his faith.
     
     
    At 1:04 p.m., a bell rang, signalling the end of the private audience, which began in the Pope's private quarters at about 12:28 p.m. The Prime Minister's Office described the audience as having been 42 minutes long.
     
    Afterward, Trudeau introduced his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, to the Pope along with officials from the PMO.
     
    The prime minister gave the Pope a rare set of Jesuit Relations books, which have become an important source detailing the beginnings of Canada.
     
    Trudeau called the books "an essential tool for historians to understand the early years and stories of Jesuit missionaries documenting the origins of Canada."
     
    "This is a rare edition that we got from the Jesuits," he said.
     
    The prime minister also presented the Pope with a Montagnais-French dictionary written by a French Jesuit in the 17th century.
     
    In return, the Pope gave the prime minister a gold medal marking the fourth year of his pontificate, an autographed copy of his message for World Peace Day and three papal letters about family, environment and evangelism.
     
    A readout from the Prime Minister's Office described "an extended conversation" on the need for leadership on issues like climate change and mass migration, and a discussion about stronger relations between Canada and the Holy See.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Amid Anger At Home, Pakistan Moves ICJ Over Kulbhushan Jadhav

    Amid Anger At Home, Pakistan Moves ICJ Over Kulbhushan Jadhav
    Pakistan on Friday filed a plea in the ICJ for it to rehear within six weeks the case of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, after the government was slammed by the opposition for "mishandling" the case at the world court.

    Amid Anger At Home, Pakistan Moves ICJ Over Kulbhushan Jadhav

    Slain Pakistani Sufi Singer's Family Seeks Protection

    Slain Pakistani Sufi Singer's Family Seeks Protection
    The family of famed Sufi Qawwal singer Amjad Sabri, who was shot dead in Karachi last June, has requested the Pakistan government to provide them security, a media report said.

    Slain Pakistani Sufi Singer's Family Seeks Protection

    2 Texas Men Sentenced To 3 Years In Jail For Assaulting Sikh-American Maan Singh Khalsa

    2 Texas Men Sentenced To 3 Years In Jail For Assaulting Sikh-American Maan Singh Khalsa
    Both men went out of their way to cut Khalsa's hair, which he maintained unshorn as part of his Sikh faith, 'making this so clearly a hate crime

    2 Texas Men Sentenced To 3 Years In Jail For Assaulting Sikh-American Maan Singh Khalsa

    US Man Tries To Kiss Rattlesnake, Gets Bitten On Tongue

    US Man Tries To Kiss Rattlesnake, Gets Bitten On Tongue
    Ron Reinold was airlifted to a hospital in Florida's Putnam County in a critical condition after the incident happened on Tuesday.

    US Man Tries To Kiss Rattlesnake, Gets Bitten On Tongue

    Goa To Exploit Trump's H-1B Visa Crackdown: Minister

    Goa To Exploit Trump's H-1B Visa Crackdown: Minister
    Goa should look to exploit US President Donald Trump's crackdown on H-1B visas by facilitating the return of Goan NRIs, IT Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Thursday.

    Goa To Exploit Trump's H-1B Visa Crackdown: Minister

    Victory For India As International Court Of Justice Stays Kulbhushan Jadhav Execution In Pakistan

    Victory For India As International Court Of Justice Stays Kulbhushan Jadhav Execution In Pakistan
    In a unanimous and binding decision, the UN's top court said the status quo should be maintained pending final decision to be taken in the case that has brought ties between the two rival neighbours to a new low.

    Victory For India As International Court Of Justice Stays Kulbhushan Jadhav Execution In Pakistan