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The horrific finding at residential schools reported so far in the media shatters my heart and sends chills up and down my spine.
As a parent, I can imagine the unbearable heartbreak and horror of having my child, as young as three, ripped from arms while enduring the uncontrollable and relentless cries for mommy!
There are many grave concerns that need answers.
Why did children at residential schools die at a far higher rate than those in the general population?
Why did schools not inform parents of deaths or return the bodies of children who died to their home communities?
Why did the schools neglect to record the names in nearly a third of the deaths?
Why did they only record the cause of death in only half of the cases?
How many children were buried like dogs on the grounds of the 130 residential schools in operation in Canada?
Now we have just been informed by the provincial government, we taxpayers will be forking out $50 million to pay for the continued investigation.
I totally agree with the need and moral obligation to do whatever is necessary to uncover the truth about residential schools.
The question that begs to be answered is why do we taxpayers have to pay any money whatsoever?
Instead of providing these innocent youngsters with a just, fair and noteworthy Christian education, they were physically, mentally, sexually abused, neglected and, in some cases, tortured by priests and nuns.
It was the Catholic Church who was responsible for these crimes! The Catholic Church is estimated to be worth billions and billions of dollars!
If the Catholic Church truly represents the teaching of Jesus, should they not be forwarding millions of dollars to Canada to help make amends for their actions and improve the lives of the victims and their children? Why does the Vatican possess billions of dollars worth of antiquities when Jesus stated: "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven.”
I would like to see all levels of governments pressure the Vatican to provide the funds to help mitigate the everlasting damage they have caused. The much-needed funds can be used for medical, educational, psychological and recreational programs for the survivors and their children and their children’s children.
Gwen Petreman
Barrie
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