An apology has been issued by a prominent Canadian arm of the Catholic Church for the suffering experienced in residential schools across the country.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued an apology for the Church's role in the residential school system.
"We acknowledge the grave abuses that were committed by some members of our Catholic community; physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and sexual," the CCCB writes. "We also sorrowfully acknowledge the historical and ongoing trauma and the legacy of suffering and challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples that continue to this day."
In the statement, the bishops vowed to help reconciliation efforts by participating in fundraising initiatives benefiting Indigenous organizations.
The conference also referenced a meeting between Pope Francis, Indigenous survivors, elders and youth in Rome this December.
The bishops say the meeting will help the Pope "discern how he can support our common desire to renew relationships and walk together along the path of hope in the coming years."
From the late 19th century until 1996, there were 139 federally funded residential schools in Canada, many of which were run by the Catholic Church.
Earlier this year, hundreds of unmarked graves were discovered at the sites of several former residential schools.
For the first time, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation will be marked on September 30th to honour residential school victims, survivors, families and Indigenous communities.
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