FSIN asks Catholics to skip Sunday mass in support of residential school survivors
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is asking people who want to show their support for those traumatized by the residential school system to consider skipping church on Sunday.
“This is something that every Christian can do, have that show of solidarity and not show up for church on Sunday,” Kinistin Saulteaux Nation Chief Felix Thomas said at an FSIN press conference Friday.
“You can go next Sunday and you can pray at home in your own way.”
The FSIN continues to ask for an apology to survivors from Pope Francis following the discovery of what are believed to be the remains of 215 students buried on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. The FSIN also wants the Roman Catholic Church to release records of residential schools.
“(We) call for the Pope to come and visit Saskatchewan, and to come and visit one of our residential school sites and to apologize in person for the trauma and the harm that the catholic church caused to our people,” said FSIN Vice-Chief David Pratt.
POPE EXPRESSES 'CLOSENESS' WITH CANADIANS
On Sunday, Pope Francis addressed the discovery on Twitter but did not apologize.
"I join the Canadian Bishops and the whole Catholic Church in Canada in expressing my closeness to the Canadian people, who have been traumatised by shocking discovery of the remains of two hundred and fifteen children, pupils at the Kamloops Indian Residential School," he said.
The Catholic Church administrated many of Canada’s residential schools – including the one in Kamloops – as did the Anglican, United and Presbyterian churches for more than 120 years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.