- Two indigenous women protested against the teachings of the Catholic Church at a service with Pope Francis near Québec.
- After entering the church, they held up the poster “Rescind the doctrine” (Abolish the doctrine) in front of the altar.
- The fair continued during the unscheduled campaign. The Pope did not address this in the sermon. The two women were led out of the church.
According to official estimates, around 2,000 people flocked to the church of Sainte Anne de Beaupré near Québec on Thursday morning (local time) for mass. Pope Francis looked towards the two protesting indigenous women in their traditional robes during the poster campaign. They were then led out of the church, as shown by the Vatican News television broadcast.
Also Premier Trudeau present
Pope Francis has been in Canada since Sunday to meet with indigenous people and seek forgiveness for abuse and violence by staff against indigenous children at boarding schools that were once run by the Catholic Church. Among those present at the church were many indigenous people. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also came.
Legend:
Even outside the church, Sarain Fox (L) and Chelsea Brunelle (R) from the Batchewana First Nation protested against the Catholic Church.
Keystone/AP/John Locher
During his homily, Francis urged the faithful to face scandals. “We too, confronted with the scandal of evil and the body of Christ wounded in the flesh of our indigenous brothers and sisters, have felt deep bitterness and the burden of failure,” said the 85-year-old head of the Catholic Church.
People would have to face the sense of failure and ask themselves: What happened? Francis did not address the protest during his sermon. In the afternoon (local time) Francis wanted to meet church representatives.