Montreal Archbishop 'Saddened' by Catholic Role in Residential Schools

CBC News
April 27, 2013

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2013/04/27/montreal-residential-schools-archbishop-christian-lepine.html

Saturday was the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s last day in Quebec.

Archbishop of Montreal Christian Lépine in studio with CBC's Homerun

Christian Lépine talks to CBC's Homerun about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Montreal's Catholic Archbishop Christian Lépine says he is still struggling to come to terms with how Canada’s residential school system and its abuses were allowed to happen.

Lépine sat in the audience of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission during its four-day stop in Montreal.

Saturday was the commission’s last day in Quebec.

In an interview with CBC’s Homerun, Lépine said he was struck by the humility and the courage of the witnesses, and their stories of abuse.

“What saddens me more is that … as Christians we allowed that to happen. As Catholics, we allowed that to happen," Lépine said.

"I am not sure what will come out of it, even within me. But I think it's a process within me that has to be done. First, by taking the time only to listen to them.”

Quebec is unique in Canada, according to chief commissioner Murray Sinclair, because of the dominant role the Catholic Church played in running residential schools.

“That speaks for the need for there to be a dialogue between the church and those communities. And that dialogue hasn't been occurring in a very good way yet,” Sincair said.

While Lépine said he can only speak for the Montreal Archdiocese, he says he wants to be a part of the process by becoming more informed and helping to inform others.