By Our Editor
In ancient times it was common practice for the strong to dominate the weak who had to abide by whatever they were told failing which they would be persecuted or even killed. The concept followed then was, “Might is right”, and which everyone did not have second opinion either, especially the weak and the downtrodden. European powers with superior arms and expertise during earlier centuries starting from the 15th onwards ventured into the New World, conquered new territories for expansion of their respective countries and converted the native indigenous populations into Christianity by using force if necessary. Subsequently rich cultural practices of various indigenous tribes were uprooted and completely destroyed not to mention of unspeakable cruelties and barbaric treatments that native populations had to endure, without sparing even children and young kids. Those who resisted being absorbed into alien culture and faith were mercilessly eliminated. Others who could not adapt to white man’s ways and customs became victims of fatal diseases and soon totally died out.
For centuries colonial powers of Europe ruled over the Americas and brought development and prosperity mostly to the ruling and middle classes at the cost of native populations. For decades, indigenous peoples who have suffered untold sufferings and atrocities for hundreds of years, have demanded that the Vatican should introspect over its past behaviours for collaborating with harsh European kingdoms for the sake of spreading Christian faith. Church officials, however, have denied all these allegations and found no need at all for any kind of apology. During these last few years, more reports have come out after authentic researches have been conducted which give actual incidents of the unbearable pain faced by native Indians. With heavy heart and humble submission Pope Francis undertook a week-long trip to Canada beginning Sunday July 24, 2022 to apologise for untold miseries at church-run indigenous residential schools where hundreds of victims were found buried at school graves. Calling it a “penitential pilgrimage” with great humility he begged forgiveness on Canadian soil for the “evil” done to native people by Catholic missionaries. He strongly asserted the rights and dignity of indigenous peoples which have long been ignored. Mahatma Gandhi said: “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong”. But past popes have also hailed the sacrifices and holiness of European Catholic missionaries who opened schools and higher institutions of learning to educate the native Americans and who also brought Christianity to the Continents. Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas, has been a champion of rights and privileges of indigenous peoples who quite a few years back in 2015 apologised to people of Bolivia for colonial-era crimes committed by Spanish conquistadores against native peoples.
Following the footsteps of Pope Francis, top Protestant leaders too came forward in begging apologies for their churches’ historical wrongs. In the past, Protestant denominations had inflicted much atrocities on native Indians like genocide, sex abuse, slavery, war and more. “Friendship flourishes at the fountain of forgiveness,” commented William Arthur Ward.