National Indigenous leaders are planning a visit to the Vatican this November to seek a papal apology for the Catholic Church's role in running residential schools and other Canadian institutions that Indigenous students were forced to attend. 'Do the right thing'The Catholic Church operated more than half of residential schools, which were open between 1831 and 1996, on behalf of the federal government. "I pray to God that God will forgive these priests and will forgive the church," Chartrand said. 'The apology that Indigenous peoples deserve'The national organization representing Inuit, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), is also calling for a papal apology and is in discussions with the other Indigenous organizations about the Vatican visit. "Many Catholic entities in dioceses across Canada have apologized publicly for their role in the operation of residential schools.

Source: CBC News June 08, 2021 12:33 UTC