Christological Ecclesiology & Reconciliation

This article explores the Catholic Church’s response to Canada’s Indian Residential School system; namely, how it has chosen to frame and understand its role and responsibility in the harm inflicted upon indigenous persons and communities. The predominant approach has been to spare the Catholic Church itself of culpability while focusing on that of individual Catholics and institutions (e.g., dioceses and religious orders). At the root of this perspective appears to be the distinction between the Church, which is holy, and her members, who are sinners. This article, however, argues that this view is insufficient in light of a christological ecclesiology: Church institutions and members form one body in Christ with two natures, divine and human, which should neither be divided nor confused. With this view in mind, it is argued that reconciliation efforts can and should be made on behalf of not only individual Catholics and institutions, but the Catholic Church as a whole.