In a formal statement released today, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Canada (ACCUC) recognized the apology Pope Francis extended to Canada’s Indigenous Peoples while in Maskwacis, Alberta earlier this week. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #58 requested that the pope apologize to the “Survivors, their families, and communities for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children in Catholic-run residential schools” in Canada. St. Jerome’s University (SJU) is a member of ACCUC.

“All leaders of Canada’s Catholic universities and colleges and the communities they serve are called to work toward reconciliation,” stated SJU’s President and Vice Chancellor, Peter Meehan. “We must continue to work together and support the important process of healing.”  

The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Canada (ACCUC) is an organization of Roman Catholic institutions of higher education located across Canada. The ACCUC acts as the official voice for Catholic higher learning in Canada, as it seeks to spread “the spirit of learning” throughout the country.

To read the ACCUC’s statement released today visit stmu.ca/accuc or use the following link. A French language version is available using the following link.

A copy of the full text of the apology is available at: 'I am deeply sorry': Full text of residential school apology from Pope Francis | CBC News