Bolen Response

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121

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Anthropology

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Dec 6, 2023

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Aislinn Mokngar Mali 20956595 RS 121 Question One The doctrine of discovery is a document that has historically been used by settler and colonial societies across the globe as basis to assimilate Indigenous populations. (Miller, 2018). This document makes the claim that the first European and more specifically Christian people that discovered lands unknown to other European Christians claimed ownership of said land, as well as the Native people that inhabited it (Miller, 2018). The doctrine of discovery is often said to have allowed atrocities against Indigenous people to have taken place. After years of public pressure and awareness brought to the question of how this document served as the foundation for the loss of Indigenous people’s land, tradition, and way of life (Bolen, 2023) The Pope finally issued an apology, and the Vatican finally repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery in 2022, 6 years later than the time frame they were given to do by call to action 58. According to Bishop Donald Bolen, the repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery was a crucial step in addressing the legacy of colonization; Bolen states that the colonization which resulted from the Doctrine of Discovery is not only an issue of the past, but has left a lasting impact on Indigenous communities which is reflected in statistics regarding suicide, incarceration, and addiction in indigenous communities. According to Bishop Bolen, the repudiation of the Doctrine is a step in the right direction so that the church can walk alongside Indigenous peoples in an effort to address the lasting impacts of colonization (Bolen, 2023). Bolen argues that the language used in the Pope’s apology, as well as the repudiation of the Doctrine of discovery were important steps toward reconciliation; he states that the Pope’s use of the word “Catastrophic” in reference to the effects of policies linked to residential schools

sent a strong message that indicated acknowledgment of the severity of the impact that the Catholic church's actions had. Archbishop Bolen describes the church's response as “a small step on a long journey”, he states that the Pope’s apology and the repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery does not solve the issue or end the conversation, but it is a step towards reconciliation. According to Archbishop Bolen, there is much to be done going forward. The church must take the lead of Indigenous people in the journey to reconciliation by using the calls to action as a blueprint for solidarity, and very importantly he states that the church needs to make the acknowledgement that they should not have been involved . Though Archbishop Bolen acknowledges some ways in which the church's response is not yet sufficient, he made no acknowledgment of the structural dimension of evil, which I believe would be another important step that the church could take towards reconciliation. The church's response and repudiation are very much in alignment with Christian conceptualizations of evil and sin, in which sin is something that is personal, it requires personal intention, knowledge, and responsibility (Lecture, September 20, 2023). In the Vatican’s repudiation statement, phrases such as “the contents of these documents were manipulated for political purposes by competing colonial powers ' ' and “ Many Christians have committed evil acts against indigenous peoples” (Vatican, 2023). Additionally in the Pope’s apology, he uses statements apologizing for the cultural destruction brought on by “Many members of the church” (CBC, 2022). These statements reflect a lack of acknowledgment of evil and sin that are present within the institution of Catholicism, and a deference of blame on a few disgruntled members of the church. Though it is unclear based on his lecture weather or not Bishop Bolen aligns with this idea, there is a general idea within Catholicism that the church itself cannot sin (Lecture, September 25, 2023). The social and structural dimension of sin is ignored within the church’s apology, going forward an acknowledgment that there may have been sin built into the very structural elements that make up Catholicism would make for a more genuine

acknowledgment of the structural sin the church has built into it through its discourse, practices, community, and institutions, and would lead to a more honest approach to reconciliation. Robert J. Miller, "The Ten Legal Dimensions of the Doctrine of Discovery: The International Law of Colonialism," Doctrine of Discovery Project (27 July 2018), https://doctrineofdiscovery.org/the-doctrine-of-discovery- the-international-law-of-colonialism/ . Bolen, D. 2023, September 28. The Wounds of the Past, Truth-Telling and a Future of Hope: The Doctrine of Discovery and the Path of Reconciliation Seljak, D. 2023, September 20. Canadian Colonization and Indigenous Peoples Seljak, D. 2023, September 25. Canadian Colonization and Indigenous Peoples Revised The Canadian Press. (2022, July 25). “I am deeply sorry”: Full text of residential school apology from pope Francis | CBC news . CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/pope-francis-maskwacis-apology- full-text-1.6531341 Holy See Press Office. (2023, March 30). Joint statement of the dicasteries for culture and education and for promoting integral human development on the “Doctrine of Discovery.” https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/03/30/230330b.html

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