wfn.org | A statement from the bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada

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			A N G L I C A N  N E W S  S E R V I C E
					official press release

A statement from the bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada

-- The following is a statement from the house of bishops in response to
the Oct. 29 federal government announcement regarding residential school
claim settlements:

The Government of Canada was given responsibility by the British North
America Act for aboriginal peoples.  The policies our government developed
to fulfill this responsibility and their implementation, in which, through
the residential schools, our church played a role, have created the
difficult situation in which we, as a country, find ourselves.  Now, as a
nation we need to grasp a dynamic, new vision of reconciliation between
aboriginal peoples and other Canadians in which we can all be made whole,
in which we honour the human rights of all, and in which we build together
a new society of respect and honour.

Our church wants to be part of bringing this vision to reality.

We want to continue to include our experience and skill in our contribution
to the healing of those who suffered under these policies, especially those
who attended residential schools.

The long existing and growing partnership within our church of aboriginal
and non-aboriginal peoples provides an environment and network that is
invaluable in this work.

We want to meet to the very best of our ability our responsibility to
compensate financially those who suffered specific abuse in the schools and
we will best be able to do that if we can assure Anglicans that support for
bringing this new vision into reality will not be used to pay litigation
costs. The prolonged negotiations with the government and the continuing
cost of litigation are wearing down both our capacity and our resolve to
respond to need. We have to be relieved of this burden if we are to do our
part.

We welcome the recent announcement of the government that it will
contribute 70% of settlements for validated claims. This indicates to us
that the government does indeed desire to provide justice for those who
were wronged.

We regard this as a first step toward an agreement that will enable us all
to work together at restoring our society.

We call upon Anglicans to pray for those who were wronged and for all
involved in this painful issue. We call upon Anglicans to study and
implement the healing program entitled, "A New Agape". We call upon all
Anglicans to reach across cultural boundaries and build friendships with
one another that together we may work for justice and healing, so that we
may create a society in which all can find fulfillment and dignity.

Edmonton,
October 30, 2001

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Leanne Larmondin
Web Manager
Anglican Church of Canada
600 Jarvis St.
Toronto ON  L5E 2G1
(416) 924 9199 ext. 307
ll@anglican.ca
http://www.anglican.ca
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