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It seems that no other institution, religious or otherwise, is as easily attacked by Canadian politicians as the Catholic church

If this country’s Parliament is to adopt the logic of this NDP motion, will it issue the same summons to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the “Defender of the Faith” (Anglican) and the head of the Anglican Church? After all, was not the Anglican Church also complicit in the residential schools? If the Pope can be summoned, does it not follow that the Queen must be?

The residential schools issue is a tragic part of our nation’s history and Indigenous people suffered terribly as result of horrific decisions made by people in positions of authority. Initiated formally by Canada’s government before Confederation in 1867, the residential schools system destroyed families, irreparably harmed Indigenous children and undermined the values we like to think have defined our country from its origins. A number of religious institutions participated. For this, accountability is essential, and religious, governmental and administrative institutions in this country must accept responsibility and work to truly heal these wounds.

Photo by Postmedia News

A critical part of the process of healing is the acceptance of responsibility. In 2008, Stephen Harper, then prime minister, issued an apology on behalf of the Canadian government. Provincial governments have also since apologized.

One year after Harper’s apology, Pope Benedict XVI issued an expression of sorrow for the role the Roman Catholic Church in Canada had in the residential schools system after having met Canadian First Nations leader Phil Fontaine. Other denominations have apologized and expressed regrets. But years later, some of our politicians are still singling out the Pope with particular demands. Why him? Why Catholics?