Joint Statement of the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council and Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council and Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle honour the Survivors of the Indian Residential School System, the children who never returned home, their families, and the generations who continue to live with its legacy. We remember also the courage of those who have shared their stories and encourage those who continue to listen, so that the truth of our histories remains the foundation upon which we build our collective futures. We cannot turn away from these truths when they are painful or uncomfortable. Our faith calls us instead to encounter them with humility, honesty, and charity as we walk together and learn to live rightly with one another.
We give thanks for signs of hope this year. The ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ knowledge-sharing symposium held in Edmonton this past spring created space for honest dialogue among diverse voices about the historical and contemporary realities that shaped colonization. Through the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, Catholic dioceses across Canada have committed $30 million toward healing and reconciliation projects developed with Indigenous communities. These are two examples of the many initiatives taking place across the country as the fruits of dialogue and relationality begin to shape a brighter tomorrow.
At the same time, we cannot ignore that there has been a noticeable shift in the discourse concerning Truth and Reconciliation in recent months. There is a temptation to become distracted from the healing mission Pope Francis called us all to continue during his penitential pilgrimage to Canada in 2022. We must remain patient with one another and trust that the journey is guided by the Holy Spirit, who accompanies us at every step.
To aid in this journey, ongoing dialogue and mutual accompaniment remains paramount. Whether in parishes or at community events, occasions for learning can create opportunities for encounter, reciprocity, and relationality. We must see the faces and hear the voices of those with whom we are walking so that, in the words of the late Canadian Jesuit Michael Stogre, S.J., we might be drawn “… into the realm of discernment, decision, and action on behalf of justice and liberation.”
Finally, we wish to acknowledge that this work must be rooted in the movement of the Holy Spirit. We invite all to continue praying for this healing journey as we look ahead to December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. May Our Lady, who came to St. Juan Diego in his own language and with the face of his people, accompany us on the path of Truth and Reconciliation.
