Grassroots Apology for Residential Schools Abuses in Canada

To:  Parliament of Canada

Dear fellow Canadians,

For many years our hearts have been broken by the terrible stories we have heard concerning the residential schools. The Governments of the day took children from their aboriginal families and entrusted their teaching and care to Christians of various churches. The idea was wrong in conception and in practice. We should not have agreed to it.

In many cases they did not receive the love and care of Jesus but gross abuse and violation. We are horrified and deeply ashamed that
those who had a sacred trust defamed the name of Jesus and linked Him with such behaviour by their actions.

The government today is acknowledging the failure of government authority to properly care for aborignal children and their families and is seeking forgiveness. As Christian leaders we commend our government leaders and join in asking forgiveness of all First Peoples, especially those who were abused, for the behaviour of those who called themselves Christians.

St. John the Apostle set the standard for Christians when he said,"Whoever claims to live in Him (Jesus) must walk as Jesus did." (1 John 1:6) This standard has come to judge the Christian community. We acknowledge our corporate failure and join with other Christians who have acknowledged this terrible wrong asked forgiveness.

May the Lord Jesus, the Head of the Church, show us forgiveness and give us grace to heal greater than the sins which caused the wounding.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Grassroots Apology for Residential Schools Abuses in Canada Petition to Parliament of Canada was created by National House of Prayer and written by Rob Parker (rob@nhop.ca).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.