CATHOLIC BISHOPS BEGIN LOCAL FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES
July 17, 2021
BISHOPS OF CANADA SUPPORT FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE
Statement from the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding the Saskatchewan "Catholic TRC Healing Response Appeal"
The Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) supports the Bishops of Saskatchewan as they announce a new province-wide Appeal for Support of Healing and Reconciliation with a particular focus on three funding priorities: healing and reconciliation, cemeteries on the sites of former residential schools, and education and cultural support. You can visit the following website for information and ongoing updates on the Saskatchewan appeal and the funds collected: https://dscf.ca/catholic-trc-healing-response.
The Bishops of Canada are profoundly saddened by the Residential Schools legacy. We are committed to working with Indigenous Peoples and communities towards a greater understanding of the priorities of healing and reconciliation and how to address them together.
Bishops from many dioceses across the country have indicated to the CCCB their readiness to discern possible local and/or regional fundraising initiatives. The details of the particular fundraising efforts will be made known locally following further consultations.
The work of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is of fundamental importance to our local and national Catholic communities and to all of us as Canadians. By renewing our commitment to work together with them, the Church in Canada pledges solidarity with the Indigenous communities of this land.
We lift up our prayers to the Lord for the support and healing of Residential School survivors, their communities, and intergenerational wounds still present. We will provide updates on these important initiatives as this work progresses into the early Fall.
+ Richard Gagnon
Archbishop of Winnipeg and
President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
16 July 2021
