News 2021-06-04

多倫多教區總主教有關錦碌印第安寄宿學校舊址發現兒童遺骸聲明 (June 3, 2021)
Statement from Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto re Discovery of Children’s Remains at former Kamloops Residential School (June 3, 2021)

「若一個肢體受苦；所有的肢體都一同受苦」（格前12：26）

近日在卑詩省錦碌印第安寄宿學校舊址發現215名學童遺骸震驚全國，令人感到悲傷及忿怒。我們為死於錦碌及全國寄宿學校的兒童祈禱––他們不應被遺忘。我們亦應承認很多負責開設寄宿學校之天主教領袖失職，未能履行照顧年幼純真兒童的責任。

我們當尋求事情真相，然這不幸事件亦為我們提供良機，讓我們認清本國歷史黑暗的一頁與及我們很多原住民兄弟姊妹的痛苦歷程。

自從1990年代以來，很多開辦寄宿學校的天主教團體已為他們的行為公開道歉，並與受害人在尋求實情及修和之道路上同行。這包括開辦錦碌印第安寄宿學校的無玷聖母獻主會，他們於上周末再次為事件道歉。教宗本篤十六世亦有機會於2009年與原住民領袖會面，表達他傷痛之情。

然這一切舉動均不能抺殺歷史；它見證過去，強迫我們面對行為的後果，確保罪行不被重犯。

雖然多倫多總教區並無主辦寄宿學校，但我們與原住民、天主教社區與及全國加拿人一起為那些在肉體上、情緒上及精神上受損害的人感到傷痛。本主日，我將會為那些在寄宿學校死去或被虐待與及因這個制度而受傷害之數代人奉獻彌撒。我們亦應該在全國以可行的方案，例如由天主教神職人員、教友、the Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle與及原住民攜手一起走向修和的道路而努力。

一如我以前在談及有關教會欺凌事件時所說：真正的醜聞乃是邪惡在黑暗中惡化，但罪惡會在光明中被剷除。如此，當會開始新的生命。讓我們一起在黑暗中再次找到光明。Saint Kateri，請為我們祈禱。

多倫多總主教
Thomas Collins

Statement from Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto re Discovery of Children’s Remains at former Kamloops Residential School (June 3, 2021)

Full document, including FAQ

“If one member suffers, all suffer together with it.” (1 Cor 12:26)

In recent days, the country has been shocked, saddened and angered by the discovery of the remains of 215 children in unmarked graves who attended a residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. We pray for the children who died in Kamloops and in residential schools throughout the country – they must not be forgotten. We must also recognize the betrayal of trust by many Catholic leaders who were responsible for operating residential schools, abandoning their obligation to care for young and innocent children.

We all seek the truth and this tragic discovery provides yet another opportunity for us to learn more about this dark chapter in our history and the painful journey experienced by so many of our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

There is much more work to be done. Since the 1990’s, many of the Catholic entities responsible for the operation of residential schools have apologized publicly for their actions and have journeyed together with victims on the path to truth and reconciliation. This includes the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the religious order that operated the residential school in Kamloops, which over the weekend again apologized for its role in the residential school system. Pope Benedict XVI also had the chance to meet with Indigenous leaders in 2009 to personally express his sorrow and anguish.

These actions do not erase our history; they acknowledge our past, force us to face the consequences of our behaviour and compel us to ensure that our sins are not repeated.

While the Archdiocese of Toronto did not operate residential schools, we join with the Indigenous peoples, the Catholic community and Canadians from coast to coast to coast in a period of collective grief for those who are physically, emotionally and spiritually wounded. This Sunday, I will offer Mass for those who died or were abused at residential schools and for all those who deal with the intergenerational trauma caused by this system. We must also continue to build on the tangible initiatives present throughout the country, like the Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle, where bishops and priests, women religious, laity and Indigenous peoples are committed to walking together on a path to reconciliation.

As I have stated previously when speaking of abuse in the Church, the real scandal is when evil festers in the darkness. Once in the open, evil can be rooted out. That must happen. Then new life can begin. Let us journey together to find light through the darkness once again.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us.

Thomas Collins
Archbishop of Toronto