http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/04/29/pope-first-nations042909.html

Pope expresses 'sorrow' for abuse at residential schools
AFN's Fontaine says he hopes statement will 'close the book' on apologies
issue

Last Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 | 2:49 PM ET
CBC News

Pope Benedict XVI expressed "sorrow" to a delegation from Canada's Assembly
of First Nations on Wednesday over the abuse and "deplorable" treatment
that aboriginal students suffered at residential schools run by the Roman
Catholic Church.

In a statement, the Vatican said the Pope "offered his sympathy and
prayerful solidarity" to those whose anguish was caused by some church
members. The comments came during a private audience with the delegation,
which included Assembly of First Nations Leader Phil Fontaine, aboriginal
elders and residential school survivors.

During the meeting in the Vatican's Paul VI auditorium, which was also
attended by Canadian Catholic Church representatives, the Pope emphasized
that "acts of abuse cannot be tolerated in society," the statement said.

About 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children were taken from their
families to attend the schools from as early as the 19th century to 1996.
Most were run by missionaries from the Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and
United churches.

Following the meeting, Fontaine, who is also a residential school survivor,
called the Pope's words a "very significant statement."

'The fact that the word 'apology' was not used does not diminish this
moment in any way.'—Phil Fontaine

While he said it did not amount to an official apology, Fontaine told CBC
News he hoped the expression of regret would "close the book" on the issue
of apologies for residential school survivors.

"The fact that the word 'apology' was not used does not diminish this
moment in any way," he said. "This experience gives me great comfort."

Fontaine added it was important to note the delegation came to the Vatican
at the invitation of Benedict himself.

"We never thought for a moment we would be here to be received by the Holy
Father to talk about an experience that has caused so much pain and
suffering with so many," he said.
Statement made in private

The Vatican stressed it was a private audience and no cameras or recording
would be permitted, the CBC's Peter Armstrong reported on Wednesday from
Vatican City.

The Pope spoke in Italian and had his words translated into English by an
aide, said Edward John, grand chief of the First Nations Summit in British
Columbia, who also attended the meeting.

John said the Pope acknowledged the suffering of those who are still living
with the consequences of their experiences at the schools.

"I think in that sense, there was that apology that we were certainly
looking for," John told CBC News.

"This is a message that needs to be heard in every church, in every parish
across the country, and we are hopeful that the clergy in Canada will take
this message and repeat it in every one of these churches in every parish."
Pope 'spoke from the heart': Canadian archbishop

Archbishop James Weisberger, president of the Canadian Conference of
Catholic Bishops, said the Pope was "very attentive" and "spoke from the
heart" during the half-hour meeting.

"He responded without notes, which indicated to me that he knew very well
the situation," Weisberger told CBC News. "It was so clear that this was a
very important issue for him."

Weisberger also said he hoped the historic meeting would "jolt" people into
recognizing the importance of the legacy of residential schools and draw
attention to the poverty and racism some aboriginal Canadians face to this
day.

"The Catholic Church has got to be involved in working to help the
aboriginal people be recognized, and to end a lot of the injustice," he
said.
Truth and reconciliation commission in limbo

The Catholic Church administered three-quarters of residential schools
across Canada, but has yet to apologize for the rampant abuse suffered by
many of the 90,000 former students still alive.

Other Christian denominations implicated in abuse at residential schools
have already apologized — the Anglican Church in 1993, the Presbyterian
Church in 1994 and the United Church in 1998.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper also offered an apology on behalf of the
government of Canada in the House of Commons last year.

There were about 130 such schools in Canada — with some in every territory
and province except Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

In September 2007, the government formalized a $1.9-billion compensation
plan for victims. The Catholic Church alone paid some $79 million, the
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said.

The government also established a truth and reconciliation commission to
examine the legacy of the residential schools.

However, the commission has been in limbo since October 2008, when Justice
Harry LaForme resigned as its chairman.

Its remaining commissioners, Claudette Dumont-Smith and Jane Morley,
announced in January that they will step down effective June 1.

A selection committee led by former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci
and comprising aboriginal and church leaders is in the process of finding
new commissioners.

The First Nations' audience at the Vatican takes place less than a month
before a National Day of Healing and Reconciliation in Canada.