Manitoba Archbishop offers to pay for residential school survivors' trip to Alberta for Pope's visit
The Archdiocese of Saint Boniface is offering to take residential school survivors and representatives from First Nation communities in Manitoba to Alberta for the Pope's visit this summer.
Saint Boniface Archbishop Albert LeGatt confirmed he is extending invitations to the chief and council of seven communities where the Archdiocese has ministries – Poplar River, Berens River, Bloodvein, Little Grand Rapids (Pauingassi), Hollow Water, Manigotagan, and Sagkeeng First Nation.
The travel and accommodations will be paid for by the Archdiocese of Saint Boniface, which will be using a bus to take about 50 residential school survivors or their family members living in these communities to see the Pope during his stop in Alberta.
"I plan to be on that bus with them. I mean that's part of the being together," LeGatt said. "So much of this reconciliation is about establishing relationships, listening to the truths of each person's experience, each person's life."
Pope Francis is set to arrive in Edmonton on July 24 and will join survivors at the Ermineskin Indian Residential School in the community of Maskwacis during his time in Alberta.
He will be making stops in Quebec City on July 27, where he plans to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon. Pope Francis will end his Canadian visit in Iqaluit on July 29 where he will have a private meeting with residential school survivors.
During his time in Canada, the Pope is expected to apologize for the Roman Catholic Church's role in residential schools.
"The Pope's coming will be a very important moment for going forward. (It will be) both an expression of his heart and his mind of what he's heard to the Indigenous people, but also a real encouragement to the Catholic Church in Canada," LeGatt said. "Hopefully it will be fruitful for all involved."
LeGatt said following the trip, he hopes to continue developing relationships between Indigenous people in Manitoba and the Roman Catholic Church. He said this includes sharing information and records with communities that will aid in the search for unmarked graves at former residential school sites.
"I think that helps reconciliation to go forward step by step," he said.
The Southern Chiefs' Organization told CTV News it is working to confirm who will be attending the Pope's visit now that it has been confirmed. The Manitoba Métis Federation said it is bringing a delegation of Elders, survivors and knowledge keepers to meet the Pope. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak said it is having ongoing discussions regarding the Pope's visit.
CTV News has also reached out to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, but has not received a response yet.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.