Canadian Catholic bishops apologize for role in indigenous residential schools

FILE PHOTO: A cross stands on Cowessess First Nation, where a search found 751 unmarked graves from the former Marieval Indian Residential School near Grayson, Saskatchewan, Canada July 6, 2021. REUTERS/Shannon VanRaes/File Photo

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on Friday officially apologized for their role in the country's notorious residential school system for the first time, after refusing to do so for years despite public pressure.

In a statement issued on Friday, the organization expressed "profound remorse" and apologized unequivocally along with all Catholic entities that were directly involved in the operation of the schools.