Read Majed El Shafie’s reflection on residential schools, the Catholic Church, and celebrating Canada Day this year.

Happy Canada Day! As a refugee lucky to now call Canada home and be welcomed as a Canadian, this day will always be special for me. So I wanted to start by wishing you all the best and hope you’re able to enjoy and mark occasion with loved ones.

But I must address what we are seeing in the news. A series of arsons attacks has destroyed several Catholic Churches across the country. This morning I woke to see the news of another one in Edmonton. Many believe they are in direct response to the discovery of hundreds of grave sites at “residential schools” where children were forcibly removed from their homes and never returned to their family.

Two things I want to discuss with you:

1. Residential Schools & Reconciliation 

2. Forgiveness and the Catholic Church 

First, the history of residential schools is tragic. It is the darkest chapter in Canada’s history. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized in the House of Commons in 2008 to the former students of residential schools and detailed the horrendous conditions the Canadian governments of the past subjected these children to. You can watch his moving speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQjnbK6d3oQ

With news of the hundreds of graves shocking Canadians in recent weeks, many are not sure how to cope and are asking questions about Canada’s past. It is truly shocking to think that kids were forced from their homes and left to die at school due to abuse and neglect. Kids are not supposed to die at school, let alone be buried next to the playground. Yet that is the history Canada is confronting.

When celebrating Canada Day this year, don’t be shy to think of residential schools and all of Canada’s history. Learn from it, celebrate our accomplishments, and renew your commitment to make Canada and even better place. And have compassion for those who are feeling raw anguish. Support them. It’s a very Canadian thing to do.

Second, my Christian faith has taught me the power of forgiveness. Revenge and destruction of churches today does not “fix” the dark history of residential schools. The Catholic Church played in a leading role in running residential schools and many people in positions of authority. Those committing arson of churches today must be brought to justice. 

I believe reconciliation in Canada is possible with forgiveness. While survivors of these horrendous institutions can on their own forgive Canada and those who committed these atrocities in our country’s name, the Catholic Church can do more by apologizing. The Catholic Church can say sorry to the survivors and their families for the role its institutions and leaders of the day had in carrying out the atrocities at these schools.

It is with empathy and forgiveness that we can achieve reconciliation in Canada. And we can teach today’s children about this history so they know what took place and it is not forgotten. They too can commit to standing up for human rights, freedom of religion, and being a voice for the voiceless. Learning from our history will make us all better Canadians. And it will better enable us to help those who are persecuted around the world.

Happy Canada Day and God Bless.

-Majed El Shafie, President & Founder, OFWI.org