CCCB Website – The Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Friday, January 13 2012

indiginous_main_3(CCCB – Ottawa)… On the occasion of the feast of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, who dedicated herself to the education and care of Indigenous children and the children of the first French colonies in the country, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has added a new section to its webpage dedicated to the Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada.  This new webpage is to serve as a reference tool to recall the common history and enduring traditions shared by the Church and Indigenous Peoples, and to highlight what is currently being done on a pastoral level among Indigenous Peoples in each of the four major pastoral regions of Canada.

This new section of the CCCB website is composed of several different sections that represent a detailed virtual library for those interested in reading about this common history, including the more difficult episodes as well as moments of reconciliation and projects of hope. 

“Since the earliest days of the Church in the Western hemisphere, there has been special concern and attention for the Indigenous peoples, many of whom have become part of the Church and given much to it,” the webpage states. “As Pope John Paul II has noted, the evangelizing process over the years was uneven and limited.” At the same time, despite these struggles, the webpage continues, “the Church has walked with Aboriginal Peoples, shared their joys, their sufferings, and their aspirations, and supported their struggles for recognition of their rights for personal and collective growth. Then and now, the Churches provide a place where Native and non-Native Peoples may find common ground. Non-Native Church members have accompanied Native Peoples on their journey – sometimes leading, sometimes following, sometimes side-by-side.” 

Some of the main sections that visitors to the website can explore include:

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is the national assembly of the Bishops of Canada. It was founded in 1943 and officially recognized by the Holy See in 1948. After the Second Vatican Council (1962–65), the CCCB became part of a worldwide network of Episcopal Conferences, established in 1965 as an integral part of the life of the universal Church.