Bishop John's Pastoral Letter of June 2, 2021

To all the people of the Diocese of New Westminster,

The discovery of the mass grave at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, and the remains of 215
children buried there has shocked us all.
The reporting of horrors of abuse and brutality at Residential Schools is not new to us but this
burial site has brought into sharp focus the structural disrespect, cultural violence and cruelty that
took place on a regular basis. We cannot ignore that two hundred and fifteen children were buried
without markers, without notification to families and likely little or no ritual or ceremony of burial.
How are we able to respond with so many emotions swirling around and within us? 

Please click here to read the letter in its entirety.