Pope Francis arrived in Edmonton, Alberta yesterday. Prior to leaving Rome on a 10+ hour flight, he tweeted:
Dear brothers and sisters of #Canada, I come among you to meet the indigenous peoples. I hope, with God’s grace, that my penitential pilgrimage might contribute to the journey of reconciliation already undertaken. Please accompany me with #prayer.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) July 24, 2022
He was welcomed at the airport by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and indigenous Canadians, amongst others dignitaries.
As he was arriving, Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples in downtown Edmonton was celebrating Sunday Mass. Their inculturated liturgy includes a symbolic cleansing by burning medicinal plants, a procession of indigenous drummers, and indigenous music.
The pastor, Father Susai Jesu, acknowledged the Church’s role in interfering with the efforts of indigenous parents to pass on “good things” to their children like their language, wisdom, land, family life, spirituality, etc.
He reminded the faithful that “welcoming and inclusion” are at the heart of their community’s values.
During his six day visit, he’s expected to meet with indigenous Canadians and apologize for the Church’s role in the abuses committed against indigenous students in the Canadian residential school system.
Look:
[…] his trip to Canada, Pope Francis apologized for the Church’s role in abuses of Indigenous peoples at the […]
Reconciliation fosters rebuilding of lives.