Indigenous peoples

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Pope Francis meets with participants of the conference “Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge and the Sciences,” sponsored by the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences, held at the Vatican from March 14–15, 2024.

Pope Francis: Indigenous ‘ancestral wisdom’ a vital tool in fight against climate change

Mar 15, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Pope Francis addressed his remarks to participants of the conference “Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge and the Sciences” at the Vatican on... Read more

The loss of St. Bernard’s Church in Grouard, Alberta, Canada, on May 22, 2023, makes a sad moment for those with memories of the church, said Grouard-McLennan Archbishop Gerard Pettipas. Two men have been arrested in connection with the fire.

Report: 33 churches in Canada destroyed by fire since May 2021

Jan 17, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

Arson attacks against churches in Canada are on the rise, according to a Canadian news outlet. Read more

Two Inuit children return from school past a stop sign written in English in October 2002 in Iqaluit, northern Canada. Iqaluit is the capitol of Nunavut Territory in the Canadian Arctic.

Retired Calgary bishop demands proof for ‘missing children’ claims

Aug 21, 2023

By The B.C. Catholic

“Why is the Catholic Church not asking the federal government for proof that even one residential school child is actually... Read more

An indigenous dancer performs for Pope Francis on July 29, 2022, in Iqaluit in northernmost Canada.

One year after papal visit and apology, Canada’s bishops reflect on Indigenous outreach

Jul 27, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

“During those days with Pope Francis in Canada, we recognized in him the Lord’s mercy, which he offered to us,”... Read more

Pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Diocese of Tapachula, and Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas in the Basilica of Guadalupe in May 2022.

Mexican bishops submit ‘Indigenous liturgical adaptations’ to the Vatican for approval

Jul 27, 2023

By Ana Paula Morales

The liturgical adaptations approved by the CEM include incensing, a “senior layperson” role, and ritual dance. Read more

Members of the Sts’ailes First Nation at Holy Rosary Cathedral last year for the first Mass to integrate a First Nation language.  A Cardus report presents the voices of Indigenous Canadians speaking about their faith and distinguishing it from the traditional spirituality they’re often associated with.

Report gives voice to Canada’s Indigenous Christians, highlights need for religious freedom

May 17, 2023

By Terry O’Neill

A report presents the voices of Indigenous Canadians sharing their frustrations about society’s lack of awareness that almost half of... Read more

Pope Francis address representatives of Canada's indigenous peoples at the archbishop's residence in Québec City.

U.S. and Canadian bishops join Vatican’s condemnation of colonialist ‘doctrine of discovery’

Mar 30, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The U.S. and Canadian bishops released statements Thursday praising the Vatican’s repudiation of the “doctrine of discovery.” Read more

Pope Francis started his Canada trip by visiting the cemetery and chapel of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in Maskwacis, Alberta, on July 25, 2022.

Vatican: ‘Doctrine of discovery’ is not Catholic teaching

Mar 30, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The legal concept of the “doctrine of discovery” is “not part of the teaching of the Catholic Church,” the Vatican... Read more

Painting by Dióscoro Puebla depicting the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America, on Oct. 12, 1492.

Historian: Church did not give ‘carte blanche’ for mistreatment of indigenous in Americas

Aug 10, 2022

By David Ramos

Historian and professor Íñigo Fernández pointed out that shortly after the discovery of America, “the Church in fact began to... Read more

Pope Francis walked with a cane into Paul VI Hall for his Wednesday audience on Aug. 3, 2022.

Pope Francis: Canada is ‘writing a new page’ in Church’s relationship with indigenous peoples

Aug 3, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope said that his visit to Canada was "a different journey” from the other international trips of his pontificate. Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on a papal flight August 14, 2014.

Pope Francis: Canada's residential schools system was 'cultural genocide'

Jul 30, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis has agreed with the view that the forced removal of Indigenous children and their treatment in Canada’s residential... Read more

Pope Francis address indigenous young people and elders in Iqaluit, Canada, on July 29, 2022, on the final day of his weeklong trip to Canada.

Choose light over darkness, Pope Francis tells young people in Iqaluit

Jul 29, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Some of those indigenous people assembled to listen to the pope had met with him at the Vatican in March. Read more

Pope Francis address representatives of Canada's indigenous peoples at the archbishop's residence in Québec City.

Pope Francis praises Canada’s indigenous people as he departs Québec

Jul 29, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The pope's next, and final stop, in Canada is Iqaluit, in the country's northernmost territory. Read more

Pope Francis reads during the Vespers service on July 28, 2022, at the Cathedral Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec in Québec, Canada.

Pope Francis: Complaining that the world is evil is ‘not Christian’

Jul 28, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The pope spoke Thursday evening at the Cathedral Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec to those engaged in pastoral ministry. Read more

Two Inuit children return from school past a stop sign written in English in October 2002 in Iqaluit, northern Canada. Iqaluit is the capitol of Nunavut Territory in the Canadian Arctic.

Pope Francis’ Canada trip: What is Iqaluit and why is he going there?

Jul 28, 2022

By Jonah McKeown, Katie Yoder

Pope Francis is set to fly to Iqaluit, Canada, on July 29, the last stop of his “penitential pilgrimage” to... Read more

Indigenous drummers welcome Pope Francis to Lac Ste. Anne.

A look beyond the headlines: Pope Francis encounters Catholic life and history on his journey to Canada

Jul 28, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

This “penitential pilgrimage” is dedicated to a real path of reconciliation with the Native American populations, and at the same... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Québec, Canada, on July 27, 2022.

Pope Francis expresses ‘deep shame’ in Canada, warns of new ‘cancel culture’

Jul 27, 2022

By Katie Yoder

Pope Francis asked for forgiveness for the harm done to indigenous Canadians by Catholics in a Wednesday address before top... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass from the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 26, 2022.

Pope Francis preaches on sharing faith with love before 50,000 at largest stadium in Canada

Jul 26, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Developing a theme he introduced earlier in his "penitential pilgrimage," the pope reflected on the importance of presenting the faith... Read more

A teddy bear sits beside a lantern outside the former Kamloops Indian Residential School where flowers and cards have been left as part of a growing makeshift memorial created in response to media reports that the "remains" of 215 children have been discovered buried near the facility in Kamloops on June 5, 2021.

No remains unearthed yet from Canada’s residential school grave sites

Jul 25, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell, Katie Yoder

No excavation has been done at suspected grave sites at residential schools in Canada. Yet media outlets continue to report... Read more

Pope Francis is greeted by a representative of Canada's indigenous peoples upon his arrival in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 24, 2022 at the start of his six-day visit to Canada.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis arrives in Canada

Jul 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

Upon his arrival in Edmonton, the pope was greeted by representatives of Canada's indigenous peoples. Read more