that apostolic journey
of the sovereign Pope was revealed in a statement by the director of the Press Service of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni.
Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton, general coordinator of the trip for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), says this will be another milestone for healing and reconciliation.
For his part, the President of CCCBBishop Raymond Poisson said in a statement that the bishops are pleased that the Holy Father has accepted the invitation to continue the journey of healing and reconciliation with the indigenous peoples of Canada
.
In an interview, he emphasized that this trip should not be a repeat of the visit of the indigenous delegation to Rome. This step is done. She conveyed to the final audience a strong message from the Holy Father, who joined the bishops of Canada in an apology. When we come back here, it’s the same process going on
concluded Bishop Raymond Poisson on RDI.
” We want to focus on today and tomorrow. »
This is very good news
also welcomed Jean-Charles Piétacho, leader of the municipality of Ekuanitshit on the north coast and former resident of Mani-utenam. This rekindles hope in our healing process.
He hinted on RDI’s airwaves that his parish was already organizing to visit the Pope during his visit to Quebec.
” It is a historic event that will be remembered by our members. »
A visit in collaboration with indigenous peoples
Pope Francis’ visit locations were chosen by the Vatican, and the CCCB points out that the mobility and health problems of the head of the Catholic Church had to be taken into account. The 85-year-old pope appeared in a wheelchair last week.
The exact itinerary has not been disclosed, but the sites visited will be chosen in collaboration with the indigenous partners. He could stop at the historic site of Pèlerinage-au-Lac-Ste. Anne, located 75 km northwest of Edmonton and visit the Ermineskin Cree First Nation, 100 km south of the Alberta capital.
Edmonton has the second highest number of Aboriginal people living in urban centers in Canada. The province was also home to 25 residential schools, the most of any province or territory in Canada.
Iqaluit has the largest population of Inuit in Canada. Pope Francis was personally invited to visit the north by the Inuit delegates when they met at the Vatican in late March.
That CCCB added that the stopover in Quebec will allow Aboriginal people from eastern Canada to travel more easily. The town of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, about thirty kilometers from Quebec, is also a very popular place of pilgrimage.
We will therefore deal with the possible encounters between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal pilgrims at the two sites in Sainte-Anne. This is what we strive for in reconciliation, to be together
Bishop Poisson said in an interview with RDI.
The President of CCCB mentioned that the visit could take place in the order announced in the press release, namely Edmonton first, then Quebec City and lastly Iqaluit. The sovereign Pope will leave Canada on July 29 and arrive in Rome on July 30.
Apologies requested on Canadian soil
The Pope had mentioned this visit on April 1 at meetings with the indigenous delegation in the Vatican. He then apologized for the acts committed by some members of the Roman Catholic Church in Canada’s residential schools.
Pope Francis presented a gift to Inuk delegate Rosemary Lundrigan during the indigenous delegation’s trip to the Vatican.
Photo: Vatican via Reuters
The Pope had also expressed his desire to visit Canada near Saint Anne, which is celebrated on July 26 and occupies an important place in indigenous cultures. He wanted to express his vicinity
with these peoples.
The indigenous delegates had reminded them that they wanted the Pope to apologize when he came to Canada. It’s a historic first step, but it’s only a first step. Next, he apologizes to our families on their land
asked Gerald Antoine, head of the First Nations delegation.