Banner protesting ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ raised at Pope’s mass in Canada

TRENTON, Canada (AA) – Two Indigenous women unfurled a large banner during a mass on Thursday in Quebec, asking Pope Francis to “rescind the doctrine.” The banner referred to the Doctrine of Discovery, a contentious 15th Century papal edict that allowed explorers to take land from non-Christian countries with impunity.

Some of Canada’s Indigenous peoples feel the doctrine was used as an excuse to steal their land by Europeans. It has been a long-standing demand by the country’s indigenous inhabitants that the papal edict be rescinded.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office released a statement the same day that said he called on the pope in private discussions to “address the Doctrine of Discovery.” However, the statement was not specific on what action the pope should take.

The banner was removed from the altar of the National Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, and the mass proceeded. It was the second mass the pope celebrated during his six-day visit to Canada.

The pontiff, heeding the demand of Indigenous peoples, came to Canada to apologize on Canadian soil for the abhorrent treatment by priests and nuns of Indigenous children who were forced to attend one of the country’s 139 Indian Residential Schools. About 60% were run by Catholic religious orders. The last school closed in 1991.

Around 150,000 Indigenous children attended the schools set up by the Canadian government beginning in the 1820s. A significant number of students were subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse and many contracted diseases. It is estimated that as many as 6,000 died.

During his visit, the pope apologized several times and referred to the “scandal of evil” perpetrated by Catholic religious orders. But Francis also asked those in the basilica — many of them survivors and families of victims of the residential schools — not to give in to the “temptation to flee” the church and God.