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  Your View - Montreal
Quebecers Reluctantly Accept Archbishop's Apology

CBC News
November 22, 2007

http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourview/montreal/2007/11/quebecers_reluctantly_accept_a.html

A widespread apology issued Wednesday by Cardinal Marc Ouellet is being met by skepticism among those targeted by the mea culpa.

In an open letter published in the province's newspapers Wednesday, the archbishop of Quebec City admitted "errors were committed" in the past by certain Catholics and other church officials, and he asked Quebecers to forgive the institution and reconcile with their Christian heritage.

Among the errors he cited are attitudes, prior to 1960, which favoured "anti-Semitism, racism, indifference to First Nations and discrimination against women and homosexuals."

Ouellet acknowledged that abuses of power hurt the church's image in Quebec and hindered its moral authority.

"Mothers of families were snubbed by parish priests without regard for the family obligations that they are already assumed; youngsters were subject to sexual aggression by priests," he wrote in his letter, published in Quebec's French-language newspapers.

Montreal-based gay activist Michael Hendricks said while the cardinal's comments are true, the church hasn't done much to address entrenched homophobic attitudes.

The Quebec Women's Federation commended Ouellet for acknowledging mistakes of the past, but said it doesn't change women's ongoing lack of franchise in the church.

Do you think Cardinal Ouellet's apology goes far enough to bring people back to church?

 
 

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