As its detailed program was launched on June 23, the Papal visit team unveiled the official logo of the Papal visit to Canada. The logo, which illustrates the Walking Together theme, is the work of an incredibly talented Indigenous artist, Shaun Vincent. 

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was long, emotional and painful, but necessary as an act of a nation’s contrition after facilitating decades of abuse at residential schools. 

Why won’t Pope Francis issue a formal apology for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system? 

OTTAWA –  Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde wants a face-to-face meeting to ask Pope Francis to reconsider his rejection of a call to come to Canada to issue a formal apology to Indigenous peoples.

Pope Francis won’t be coming to Canada to personally apologize for the suffering endured by Indigenous Canadians at residential schools, a decision that has prompted disappointment from several corners, including the prime minister.

To see the impact of engraining Indigenous cultures and languages into Ontario’s schools — a practice encouraged by the Ministry of Education — one needs to simply look north.

OTTAWA – Bob Watts, former CEO of the Assembly of First Nations and key player in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA), says he is optimistic about reconciliation.

Canadians are sitting firmly on the fence when asked whether a papal apology for the sins of the residential school era would do any good in reconciling Indigenous Canadians with the immigrant majority. But Aboriginal Catholics are certain an apology from the Pope on Canadian soil would mark a new beginning after a long, sad history of colonization, racism and neglect.

OTTAWA – Canada’s bishops are being tight-lipped regarding a possible papal visit in the wake of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s request that Pope Francis apologize in Canada for the Church’s role in the residential school scandal.

VATICAN CITY – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he asked Pope Francis to help Canadians "move forward on a real reconciliation" with the country's Indigenous people "by issuing an apology" on behalf of the Catholic Church for its role in harming their communities.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall when Pope Francis welcomes Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a papal audience in coming days.

When it comes to ridding sports teams of offensive nicknames, it appears that most school boards in the Toronto area are ahead of the game.

OTTAWA – Pope Francis has turned down invitations to visit Canada in 2017 but has left open the possibility of a papal visit in the following two years.

OTTAWA – The impact of Bill C-14 that legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada will be among the issues facing Canada’s bishops as they gather for their annual plenary Sept. 26-30 in Cornwall, Ont.

Taking responsibility for a deeply painful history may be difficult, but it’s the Jesuit thing to do.