After survivors speak, Anglican leader apologizes for church allowing 'terrible crime' at residential schools

WARNING: This story contains details some readers may find distressing.

The spiritual leader of the Anglican Church told survivors gathered at a Saskatchewan First Nation Saturday that he was sorry the church had allowed "terrible crime" to occur at residential schools.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby started his visit at James Smith Cree Nation, east of Prince Albert, around midday, when he met dignitaries from Indigenous governments from James Smith and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan.

"I want to recognize, for myself and my colleagues, the level of pain that you are willing to undergo, so that your story is heard," Welby said. 

"I will say that I come in ignorance, needing to hear each and every shame, needing to signify that shame, and respect those on whom such terrible injustices were committed."

Survivors from all over Saskatchewan shared their stories about how the residential school system ripped families apart, raised self-doubt and self-confidence issues and left them with traumas as a result of sexual and physical abuse. Many spoke about how they didn't blame the church, but those acting on behalf of the church.

After listening to their stories, Welby offered his apology. 

"The grace that you have shown in saying it was not the church that did this — I suppose it is an extraordinary grace. I suppose I want to say that that's perhaps the only thing I question. That it was not the church that did it. But it was the church that permitted it. That allowed it. That turned a blind eye to it. And still does, sometimes," Welby said. 

"And for that terrible crime, sin, evil of deliberating consciously stupidly — because evil is stupid. Building hell and putting children into it. And staffing it. I am more sorry than I could ever ever begin to express.... I am sorry. I am more sorry than I could say. I'm ashamed. I am horrified."

Welby acknowledged it wouldn't be easy for survivors to speak at the event, and that recounting their experiences may be painful to share.

WATCH | Anglican Church leader apologizes for church's role in permitting residential school abuses: 

He said understanding survivors' suffering would be impossible, but that he hoped to move himself from "unconscious ignorance" to being deeply aware of their experiences, and to move himself to humility before those gathered. 

Survivors like Dennis Sanderson gathered in James Smith to share their stories with the archbishop.

Sanderson attended Gordon's Indian Residential School, about 100 kilometres northeast of Regina, for three years before attending the All Saints Residential School in Prince Albert. Both were operated by the Anglican Church.