Three local politicians are calling for the Diocese of St. Catharines to demand an official apology from the Catholic Church for it's role in the residential school system.
St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle, MPP Jennie Stevens, and Mayor Walter Sendzik have penned a letter to Bishop Gerard Bergie to encourage Pope Francis to issue an apology for the Church's actions.
The letter notes the Government of Canada, along with the Anglican, Presbyterian and United Churches have delivered official apologies, but the Catholic Church has yet to do so.
The politicians also suggest a meeting between the Diocese of Niagara and local Indigenous leaders to find ways for the region to play a meaningful role in reconciliation.
Recently, unmarked graves have been discovered at three former residential schools in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
The letter can be found below.
A letter from Mayor Sendzik, Jennie Stevens and myself to Bishop Bergie of the Diocese of St Catharines. pic.twitter.com/StNgNc3hEp
— Chris Bittle (@Chris_Bittle) July 6, 2021
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