We invite you to read a Pastoral Letter from His Excellency, Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, regarding the recent discovery of the unmarked graves of children at the former Kamloops Residential School.
An excerpt can be seen below. Read the full message along with further resources at:
hamiltondiocese.com/residential-schools/
"Dear sisters and brothers in Christ:
The sad legacy of Residential Schools and the reality that Catholic entities participated in the Government policy which removed Indigenous children from their families and from their culture has once again been brought to the attention of Canadians. The discovery of 215 bodies of children in graves beside a former Residential School in Kamloops has brought us face-to-face with the stark and tragic history that many Indigenous children in Residential Schools died. When they died, often their bodies were not returned to their families and communities for burial.
This tragic and painful part of our history as a nation and as a Church causes us to grieve with the families of these children and feel sorrow and deep shame for our participation in the policies which created the Residential Schools. The recent discovery in Kamloops moves us to renew our efforts, which began many years ago, to bring about healing and reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples of our land..."