Pope Francis asks for forgiveness during meeting with Manitoba Métis delegation
Pope Francis asked for forgiveness from a Métis delegation from Manitoba Thursday, for the harms caused by residential schools.
In turn, Manitoba Métis leaders pressed for a renewed bond with the church, following the private meeting with the Pope at the Vatican.
Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand led the group at the meeting.
“My message from my people, let’s walk together,” said Chartrand.
Chartrand said the Pope apologized for the deplorable experiences at residential and day schools and also asked for forgiveness, and from those present, to pray for him.
“For him to ask for prayer from us was something that touched our hearts,” said Chartrand.
The meeting comes following an apology from the Pope earlier this month after a gathering with First Nations, Inuit, and other Métis leaders.
It’s estimated that 150,000 Indigenous students were separated from their families and sent to residential schools, many run by the church. Survivors have shared stories of severe abuse and neglect. One of those survivors, Andrew Carrier, was part of the Métis delegation.
“We had an opportunity to really connect with the Pope and I feel blessed that we had this opportunity,” said Carrier.
Despite the historic atrocities, The Métis delegates say they want a new relationship with the church so they can connect spiritually.
“We need to overcome the pain and go forward,” said Carrier.
Chartrand said he asked the Pope to come to Manitoba, to bless Louis Riel’s grave.
“Our connection is very deep, and Riel of course everybody knows was strongly, strongly connected to the Catholic Church,” said Chartrand.
The Pope has indicated he will come to Canada, possibly this year.
St. Boniface Museum Director Cindy Desrochers said Indigenous communities would be honoured to host the Pope.
“I think the list is way too long for him to be able to visit everyone. If he is able to make it to Winnipeg," said Desrochers, “I’m sure he would be well received”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children
Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.
'What have we done?' Lawyer describes shock at possible role in Trump's 2016 victory
A lawyer who negotiated a pair of hush money deals at the centre of Donald Trump's criminal trial recalled Thursday his "gallows humor" reaction to Trump's 2016 election victory and the realization that his hidden-hand efforts might have contributed to the win.
B.C. mayor stripped of budget, barred from committees over Indigenous residential schools book
A British Columbia mayor has been censured by city council – stripping him of his travel and lobbying budgets and removing him from city committees – for allegedly distributing a book that questions the history of Indigenous residential schools in Canada.
Loblaw leaders call criticism 'misguided,' say they aren't to blame for high food prices
Loblaw chairman Galen Weston and the company's new CEO are pushing back against critics who blame the grocery giant for soaring food prices, as a month-long boycott of the retailer gets underway.
'Giant-killer' Kazushi Kimura to race in Kentucky Derby this weekend: 'I'm representing Canada and Japan'
Six years ago, at age 18, Kazushi Kimura left his home and family behind in Hokkaido, Japan to chase a dream. This weekend, he'll ride in the Kentucky Derby.
Orangutan observed treating wound using medicinal plant in world first
Scientists working in Indonesia have observed an orangutan intentionally treating a wound on their face with a medicinal plant, the first time this behavior has been documented.
Quebec premier asks police to dismantle camp at McGill University
Quebec Premier Francois Legault has called on the police to dismantle the pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the lower field of McGill University's downtown campus in Montreal.
TD Bank hit with $9.2M penalty after failing to report suspicious transactions
Canada’s financial-crime watchdog has levied a $9.2-million penalty against The Toronto-Dominion Bank for non-compliance with money laundering and terrorist financing measures as the bank also faces compliance investigations in the U.S.