The Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) on July 16, 2021, issued a statement supporting bishops of Saskatchewan as they announce a new provincial fundraising campaign to support healing and reconciliation.
On July 13, 2021, the Bishops of Saskatchewan announced a new province-wide Appeal for Support of Healing and Reconciliation – sponsored by the dioceses and eparchy in Saskatchewan. The overall goal of this campaign is to support Indian Residential School survivors and their communities, and to engage more deeply in our own ongoing commitment and response to the Truth and Reconciliation process.
Following the announcement on June 10, 2021, about the delegation of indigenous peoples to visit Rome and meet the Holy Father and experience significant moments of dialogue and healing, the Catholic Bishops of Canada announced that the delegation’s Rome visit will take place from December 17-20, 2021 in accordance with international travel guidelines.
There is the CCCB statement:
The Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) supports the bishops of Saskatchewan as they announce a new provincial fundraising campaign to support healing and reconciliation, which specifically targets the following three funding priorities: healing and reconciliation, cemeteries at the sites of former residential schools, as well as education and cultural support. You can visit the following website for information on the Saskatchewan fundraising campaign, as well as updates on funds raised: https://dscf.ca/catholic-trc-healing-response/ .
The bishops of Canada are deeply saddened by the legacy of the residential schools. We are committed to working with Indigenous peoples and communities to better understand the priorities of healing and reconciliation and how to approach them together.
Bishops from many dioceses across the country have indicated to the CCCB their willingness to discern possible fundraising initiatives at the local and/or regional level. Details of specific fundraising efforts will be communicated locally following further consultation.
The work of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is of fundamental importance to our local and national Catholic communities and to all of us as Canadians. By renewing our commitment to work with them, the Church in Canada is committed to being in solidarity with the indigenous communities of this country.
We raise our prayers to the Lord for the support and healing of residential school survivors, their communities, and the intergenerational wounds that still exist. Updates on these important initiatives will be provided as work progresses in early fall.
