Readers Speak Out: June 27, 2021
No closure
Re: Lets set record straight on papal apologies (June 16):
Fr. Raymond De Souza correctly reports that Chief Phil Fontaine, a residential school survivor and three- time leader of the Assembly of First Nations, met with Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 and spoke positively about the conciliatory and compassionate words of regret expressed by this pope.
Prayer created for National Indigenous Peoples Day
To mark the 25th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada on June 21, the Canadian Conference Catholic Bishops (CCCB) have released a prayer titled “Prayer for Tolerance, Forgiveness, Reconciliation.”
Readers Speak Out: June 20, 2021
United mothers
Re: Prayers, sorrow for Kamloops children (June 13):
I am a Catholic mother of five. In my 20s, my encounter with Christ changed the course of my life. When I became a mom, I was moved to help shape my culture and actively tried to do so. It is inconceivable to me that other mothers would have had their children ripped from their very arms in the name of this culture, in the name of Christ.
The Catholic Register earned recognition in 14 categories at the Catholic Press Association Awards on June 10, including two first-place awards for our columnists and six writing awards for Associate Editor Michael Swan.
A meeting between Pope Francis and a delegation of Canadian Indigenous people at the Vatican is being planned and expected before the end of the year.
Hatred condemned in wake of attack
Canada’s Catholic bishops have called for condemnation by the faithful of acts of violence and extremism against all faith traditions.
Readers Speak Out: June 13, 2021
More thinking
Re: Fr. Raymond de Souza: Symbols matter (May 27):
Thank you, Father. Yes, just what does the Pride/Rainbow/Progress flag mean? There seems to be an unholy rush to get it up before we figure out what we are buying into here.
Cardinal Thomas Collins said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s call for the Catholic Church to step up its responsibility for residential schools is “unhelpful” to the reconciliation process.
In-person Masses return to Ontario
Step One of Ontario’s reopening plan is in effect as of June 11 and will see a return to worship services much like they were after earlier openings following pandemic lockdowns.
Cardinal Thomas Collins apologized during his live-streamed Mass from St. Michael’s Cathedral June 6 and honoured those who died or were mistreated in Canada’s residential schools.