Dear Friends and Supporters of the Rebuilding Our Church Campaign,

Here’s an update on what’s been happening in our archdiocese and with the campaign. You can find past updates here: https://rebuildingourchurch.ca/blog/2021/02/27/campaign-news-and-updates

Indigenous Delegation to Rome

Bishop Don Bolen and delegates of our archdiocese joined the Indigenous Delegation to Rome during the last week of March.
“The significance of this visit was to create a space where Pope Francis can hear directly from Indigenous people—can hear their suffering, struggles, experience, perspectives on what happened—and they can hear a response from the pope.” 
           -Archbishop Donald Bolen

Bishop Don was interviewed about the delegation here: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2022/04/08/donald-bolen-indigenous-schools-canada-pope-francis-242792

Here’s a news video featuring delegate Ted Quewezance of Keeseekoose First Nation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV2gUX74o30.
You can find the English text of Pope Francis’s apology here: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/read-the-full-text-of-the-pope-s-apology-for-canada-s-residential-schools-1.5844874
Papal Visit

In his remarks, Pope Francis mentioned the possibility of a visit to Canada on or near the Feast of St. Anne on July 26 of this year. The particular locations for his visit will be chosen in the coming weeks.

Archdiocese of Regina

As mentioned in our last update, our archdiocese has an active Truth and Reconciliation Committee working to build trust and right relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. To learn more about members of this committee, listen to this podcast interview: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2022/03/31/indigenous-canada-metis-pope-vatican-residential-schools-242737

Rebuilding Our Church Campaign

Our Campaign Cabinet has been carefully discerning a path forward, in the midst of many changes and challenges. We look forward to being able to share it with you soon after Easter. Stay tuned!

Wishing you many Easter blessings,
Your Campaign team

Archbishop Don Bolen, Lisa Polk, Michelle Sanche, John Dipple, Mo Bundon, Samy McCarthy, Ron Kruzeniski, Garth Herbert and James Lipoth