Papal Apologies for Residential Schools and the Stories they Tell
Abstrak
This article reflects on the apologies by Pope Francis for Indian Residential Schools in Canada in terms of the stories they tell about past wrongdoing and about the role of the apologies in repair and healing. Public commentators on apologies such as myself are part of this narrative process. These papal apologies frame the integrity of the representative making the apology, the scope of wrongdoing, and thus which kinds of actions the church believes will advance reconciliation. While an analysis of the words spoken reveal significant claims, including the Catholic Church’s problematic denial of institutional responsibility for the schools and the policies they advanced, the meaning of an apology is not determined only by an analysis of the words. I argue that the transformative promise of a praxis which includes an apology is linked to the apologizer’s renunciation of control over the process.
Topik & Kata Kunci
Penulis (1)
Jeremy M. Bergen
Akses Cepat
- Tahun Terbit
- 2023
- Sumber Database
- DOAJ
- DOI
- 10.55476/001c.66235
- Akses
- Open Access ✓