Canada

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Kamloops Indian Residential School, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Canadian Indigenous leaders to meet with Pope Francis in March

Feb 1, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

Pope Francis will meet with a delegation from Canada the last week of March, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops,... Read more

Amemorial in Ottawa, Canada, in tribute to 215 indigenous children whose remains were found in unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, June 1, 2021.

Canadian Indigenous leaders' trip to Vatican delayed by Omicron variant concerns

Dec 7, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The scheduled meeting between Pope Francis and a delegation from Canada has been delayed to 2022, the Canadian Conference of... Read more

Pope Francis gives an Angelus address, Oct. 24, 2021.

Canada's bishops hope papal visit will aid 'reconciliation and healing'

Oct 27, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

Catholic, secular, and tribal leaders throughout Canada reacted with mixed emotions to the news that Pope Francis would likely be... Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square June 17, 2015.

Pope Francis to visit Canada in 'pilgrimage of healing and reconciliation' with Indigenous peoples

Oct 27, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The potential visit by Pope Francis would be the first papal trip to Canada in nearly 20 years. Read more

St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kamloops, Canada, in February 2015. Credit: Alan Levine via Flickr (CC BY 2.0).

Canada's bishops apologize for abuses at residential schools

Sep 24, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The Catholic bishops of Canada issued a formal apology to the Indigenous population of the country for the abuses of... Read more

A Squamish Nation canoe approaching Bella Bella, Canada, June 27, 1993. Credit: UN Photo/John Isaac.

'Contrite hearts' and concrete action: Catholics react to the legacy of Canada's residential schools

Aug 11, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Catholic leaders, including a First Nations deacon, reflect on the shocking legacy of Canada’s residential schools run by Catholic and... Read more

The former Kamloops Indian Residential School

Despite millions in Catholic residential schools reparations, critics seek to end church tax exemptions

Aug 9, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Catholic entities had committed tens of millions of dollars in legal settlements for their involvement in the Canadian government’s historic... Read more

The remains of St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Surrey, BC

Coptic Orthodox church in British Columbia destroyed in ‘suspicious’ fire

Jul 20, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

A Coptic Orthodox church in British Columbia was destroyed in a fire on Monday, July 19, just days after an... Read more

Memorial to victims of Kamloops residential school, British Columbia

Calgary diocese promises compensation to residential school survivors

Jul 19, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Calgary diocese announced on Friday it will contribute money to a compensation fund for survivors of local residential schools. Read more

The former Kamloops Indian Residential School

Oblates of Mary apologize for 'deafness' in response to reports of graves at indigenous schools 

Jul 13, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate had significant responsibility for operating residential schools for Canada’s First Nations and other indigenous... Read more

The former Kuper Island Indian Residential School, 1941

First Nations leaders announce more than 160 unmarked graves found at former Catholic-run residential school

Jul 13, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

A Canadian First Nations tribe last week announced an estimated 160 unmarked graves were found at the site of a... Read more

St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church in Morinville, Alberta, before it burned down on June 30, 2021.

Canadian Indigenous leaders call for end of targeting of churches

Jul 7, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

Canadian Indigenous leaders and residential school survivors have called for suspected arson attacks on churches to stop.  Read more

Holy Rosary Cathedral in Regina, Canada. Credit: Grahampurse via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Bishops in Saskatchewan propose fundraising appeal for residential school survivors

Jul 6, 2021

The bishops in Saskatchewan on Saturday announced plans for a fundraising effort across the province to support survivors of residential... Read more

The flag of Canada. Credit: Jiri Flogel/Shutterstock.

More unmarked graves discovered in Canada as church vandalism continues

Jul 1, 2021

The discovery of 182 additional undocumented graves outside a former residential school in Canada has heightened calls to boycott Canada... Read more

Fire destroys St. Jean Baptiste parish, Morinville, Alberta

Canadian police investigate two more ‘suspicious’ fires at Catholic churches

Jun 30, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating two more fires at Catholic churches in Canada as “suspicious,” after four churches... Read more

Graffiti on wall of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Denver, Colorado

Historic Denver church vandalized, motive unclear

Jun 30, 2021

A historic Catholic church in downtown Denver was tagged with graffiti on Monday evening, in a possible reference to the... Read more

Cupola of St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

Canadian bishops, Indigenous leaders will meet with pope in December

Jun 29, 2021

Some Canadian bishops, along with Indigenous leaders, will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican in December 2021, according to... Read more

One of the five Canadian Catholic churches that burned in a week: Sacred Heart Mission Church, Pentincton, British Columbia

Indigenous leaders condemn recent vandalism of churches in Canada

Jun 29, 2021

By Christine Rousselle, Joe Bukuras

Indigenous and Catholic leaders have condemned a recent spate of church vandalism in Canada, along with five Catholic churches having... Read more

St. Gregory Mission, Osoyoos Indian Reserve, British Columbia, Canada

Police investigate after two Catholic churches burn on British Columbia tribal lands

Jun 24, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Two Catholic churches in the same region of British Columbia burned down in suspicious circumstances early Monday morning.  Read more