Knowledge-Sharing Symposium on the Doctrine of Discovery

Wednesday, June 03 2026

From 26 to 29 May 2026, a Knowledge-Sharing Symposium on the Doctrine of Discovery was held in Edmonton, examining the historical and legal consequences of colonization for Indigenous Peoples, and the Catholic Church’s involvement in that colonization in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The event was hosted by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), with support from the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences, and representation from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. It was organized by a group of Catholic men and women, Indigenous and Church leaders and scholars.

The invited participants came from Canada, the United States, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, France, Spain, and New Zealand. They included Indigenous leaders, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, Representatives of Original Nations of this continent, historians specializing in colonization, legal scholars, authors who have published articles and books on the Doctrine of Discovery, Catholic bishops and theologians, and participants coming from diverse spiritual traditions.

The CCCB announced its intention to sponsor such a symposium following the publication of  the Holy See’s statement on the Doctrine of Discovery on 30 March 2023. As distinct from a specifically academic symposium, the gathering followed a traditional methodology of knowledge-sharing, underlining the importance of listening and learning from differing perspectives. In addition to keynote addresses, the program included ample time for smaller group discussions among participants.

The first major area of focus of the knowledge-sharing gathering was the colonization which took place in the 15th and 16th centuries and onward, exploring its negative impacts on Indigenous Peoples and the justifications given by colonizing powers for the taking of their lands, certain papal bulls of the 15th and 16th centuries, and the relationship between the Holy See and colonizing powers during this period. The second major area of focus addressed the legal discovery doctrine as it emerged in the 19th century, and the legacy of legal decisions depriving Indigenous Peoples of land and sovereignty which continue to have an impact today.

The goals of the knowledge-sharing gathering included coming to a deeper understanding of both historical and legal developments, establishing a network of scholars with differing perspectives and terminologies so as to encourage greater sharing of information, strengthening relations between the Church and Indigenous Peoples by engaging in deep listening and sincere dialogue, and opening up paths for common action in support of truth, accountability, healing, and service of the common good.

Participants entered deeply into the process of listening, learning and sharing insights and perspectives, which led to excellent conversations, a deepening respect, and an expansion of our language and understanding. The gathering ended with a unanimous desire to carry forward the conversation.

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The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is the national assembly of the Catholic Bishops in Canada who currently hold office. 

 

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