The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon says he understands the anger. This, after the St. Paul’s Cathedral in downtown Saskatoon had red paint splattered on its steps and the words “We Were Children” painted on the door. Bishop Mark Hagemoen says it’s one thing to know for the residential school survivors to know a cemetery is there and it’s another to learn about the discovery of the bodies.

Earlier this week, it was announced that as many as 741 unmarked graves had been discovered at a former Catholic residential school site on the Cowessess First Nation.  The Bishop takes inspiration from a conversation with a First Nations Chief, who told him recently that anger is legitimate, but we have to watch not to move into a circle of hate and destruction.

Hagemoen says the first step for the church is to support the work of bringing honour and closure to the remains at the burial sites. He adds that the Diocese has been working toward reconciliation since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its Calls to Action.

The paint on the church’s door was removed by Friday morning .