Pope Francis Asks Pardon From Native Americans For Outrageous Deeds Committed By The Church During Colonialism

In his speech during the World Meeting of Popular Movements in Sta. Cruz, Bolivia, on Thursday, Pope Francis asked for forgiveness from Native Americans from atrocities committed by the Church in the name of God.

The highlight of his speech came when he encouraged everyone to say no to colonialism, both old and new, and say yes to cultural exchanges between people. He reiterated how others may say, “When the Pope speaks of colonialism, he overlooks certain actions of the Church.” He admitted with regret how many grievances were committed against the indigenous people of America in the name of God. At this point, the audience began clapping and cheering before giving him a standing ovation.

Like his predecessors, he acknowledged these acts and asked for forgiveness. He then quoted Saint John Paul II by saying, “I humbly ask for forgiveness, not only for the offences of the Church herself, but also for crimes committed against the native peoples during the so-called conquest of America.”

During the colonialism of Latin America, Aboriginal culture and religion were severely persecuted. Treasures or instruments used in native ceremonies were largely confiscated and were either razed or destroyed. With that, the Latin American history was permanently altered due to the heavy loss of artefacts and written accounts of traditional living and ceremonies before the arrival of subjugators.

With the arrival of the conquerors came diseases like small pox, which decimated the native population. Having never encountered the sicknesses before, the natives are yet to develop immunity to these foreign illnesses.

In his speech, he also reminisced his first meeting with Bolivia’s president, Evo Morales, who also happened to be the country’s first leader of native descent. He expressed delight in meeting the president again, especially during discussions of the “best ways to overcome the grave situations of injustices experienced by the excluded throughout the world.”

The pope proceeded to talk about change. He pointed out circumstances where change is needed, changed is wanted. He also mentioned to the audience of the destruction done to out ecosystem. In the people’s hunt to gain money, the good of the many is largely ignored. He called “greed for money” the reason that ruins the structure of society, condemns and enslaves humankind, breaks bonds between people turning them against each other and threatens everybody’s common home.

He reminded everyone how small deeds like recycling can help in the long run. Pope Francis concluded the hour-long speech by saying the future of humanity does not lie exclusively in the hands of great leaders and the chosen few: It lies in the hands of the people and their ability to organise which can lead the process of change.

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