Motion on papal apology fails to get unanimous consent – The Catholic Register

OTTAWA – A motion calling on the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) to invite Pope Francis to apologize for the Catholic Church’s role in abuse at Indian Residential schools failed to get unanimous consent April 18 in the House of Commons.

NDP MP Charlie Angus expressed disappointment that one backbench Conservative MP had blocked the motion from passing, but said the motion would come up for debate and a vote in the House in the coming weeks.

In a press conference earlier in the day, Angus had said there were two defendants in the systemic abuse at the schools, the Government of Canada and the churches. In passing the motion, it will be one defendant telling the other to do the right thing, he said.

Angus said any previous expressions of sorrow or regret by previous popes about the actions of some individuals have failed to acknowledge the “systemic nature” of the abuse at the schools. That’s why it is important for Pope Francis to make the apology, he said. “It’s the CCCB that’s the impediment here.”

Angus had gained support of the Liberals, the Bloc Quebecois and the Green Party Leader for unanimous consent, but the Conservative caucus had decided earlier in the day to allow a free vote on the motion.

Read More: https://www.catholicregister.org/item/27209-motion-on-papal-apology-fails-get-unanimous-consent