Opinion: Let’s see what the Catholic Church chooses to do once the Pope gets back to the Vatican. Its actions or lack thereof will be the true test of its commitment to reconciliation, writes Pam_Palmater
we heard from Pope Francis in Maskwacis this week was indeed historic, but predictably lacking in substance.
At the same time, it is important that we acknowledge that many other survivors, families and communities want more than an apology — they want justice. Indigenous Peoples have said countless times that true reconciliation must include substantive actions by the church to end the ongoing abuse and make reparations for the harms done. Apologies are empty sentiments without corresponding action. In other words, this trip should have been about penance , not just penitence .
This sexual abuse was about racism, white supremacy, power, domination, exploitation and depravity — not “indifference” as stated by the Pope. The pattern of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy is an evil that was well-known by the church and covered up for generations — thus clearing the path for the abuse to continue unabated.
The same criticism of the apology applies to the Pope’s failure to acknowledge that the atrocities committed against Indigenous Peoples in North and South America not only amount to genocide, but were in fact authorized by the church.
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