As a Catholic Christian community it is our heartfelt privilege to acknowledge that we reside and minister on the unceded ancestral territory of the hən̓ q ̓əmin̓ əm ̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples.
In this 21st Century where we find ourselves, we are deeply sorry for the crimes inflicted upon all our Indigenous brothers and sisters who attended Residential Schools. At the same time, we are proud to be situated in this Archdiocese of Vancouver – collaborating with all Catholics in this region to actively listen to Residential School Survivors and leaders of First Nations communities, to acknowledge the painful reality of intergenerational trauma, and to offer help wherever we can.
The essence of our Christian religion lies in the charitable act of lifting others up NOT in oppression, NOT in abusing, and NOT attempting to extinguish any culture. It is beyond sickening to read and re-read the historical facts, so many articulations of betrayal and abuse committed by individuals and Catholic entities in this country in their relation to First Nations people. These facts cannot be glossed over, this ugly history must continue to disturb us, and – looking ahead – the opportunities to be true, helpful extensions of Our Good Shepherd’s healing ministry are not to be ignored.
Friends, following the lead of our Indigenous brothers and sisters and of our Archbishop Michael, we are committed to keep moving forward, continuing this long-term mission of seeking truth, educating our faithful, journeying toward reconciliation, and being helpful agents of authentic love and healing.
On this page you’ll be able to find helpful resources to gain an ever clearer understanding of where we stand as a Catholic Archdiocese, what has been said and done, and what we’re currently moving towards. We’ll aim to update this page as much as possible with helpful resources.
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