Official announcements from the U.S. Catholic Church or credible news reports

U.S. Catholic Bishops Apologize Friday Morning for Role in Indian Boarding Schools

Jun 14, 2024, 02:00 PM

U.S. Catholic bishops issued a formal apology Friday morning for the church’s role in operating Indian boarding schools, acknowledging a history of trauma inflicted on Native Americans. The apology comes in response to decades of abuse, including rape and molestation, by Catholic priests at these institutions. A Washington Post investigation highlighted the pervasive sexual abuse suffered by Native American children who were taken from their homes by the U.S. government and forced to live at remote boarding schools. The bishops are also considering new outreach efforts to address past abuses and support Native American communities.