Diocesan response to latest news about Residential Schools

The Diocese of Saint John is committed to working with Indigenous leaders towards healing and reconciliation. 

Please see the links below for comments from Bishop Riesbeck, CC following the recent discovery at the former Kamloops Residential School, as well as links to initiatives of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

• Bishop Riesbeck offers moments of prayer and solidarity for Indigenous communities
• The New Freeman, June 11, 2021
• The New Freeman, June 25, 2021
• Diocesan Rosary with Indigenous Leaders June 2, 2021
• Bishop Riesbeck's June 6, 2021 Homily addressing the grief over the former Kamloops Residential School
• Background for Catholics regarding Residential Schools
• Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) initiatives with Indigenous Peoples
• CCCB and Indigenous Delegation to the Holy See June 10, 2021 Declaration
• Déclaration de la CECC Délégation auprès du Saint-Siège 
• Residential Schools, Reconciliation, and Indigenous-Catholic Relations (Garnet Genuis podcast featuring Graydon Nicholas, Maria Lucas, and former Liberal MP Robert Falcon-Ouellette)
• CCCB Statement Date of the Delegation to the Holy See
• Déclaration de la CECC Date de la délégation auprès du Saint-Siège
• No evidence found of unmarked graves related to Shubenacadie Residential School (CBC article, August 4, 2021)
• Where are the Children buried? (Report by Dr. Scott Hamilton, Dept. of Anthropology, Lakehead University Thunder Bay, Ontario, for the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission)

• Fr. Raymond de Souza: Church’s job remains sharing the good news (The Catholic Register, August 27, 2021)