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
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.
'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.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
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.
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.