The Most Rev. Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Archbishop in the Anglican Church of Canada, shared a prayer that was used at every gathering of the “Remembering the Children” church leaders tour, gatherings that took place before the time of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. These words still speak today…
“God of our Ancestors,
who holds the spirits of our grandmothers and grandfathers
and the spirits of our grandchildren,
Remembering the Children,
we now pledge ourselves to speak the Truth,
and with our hearts and our souls
to act upon the Truth we have heard of the injustices lived,
of the sufferings inflicted,
of the tears cried,
of the misguided intentions imposed,
and of the power of prejudice and racism
which were allowed to smother the sounds and laughter of the forgotten children.
Hear our cries of lament for what was allowed to happen,
and for what will never be.
In speaking and hearing and acting upon the Truth
may we as individuals and as a nation
meet the hope of a new beginning.
Great Creator God who desires that all creation live in harmony and peace,
Remembering the Children we dare to dream of a Path of Reconciliation
where apology from the heart leads to healing of the heart
and the chance of restoring the circle,
where justice walks with all,
where respect leads to true partnership,
where the power to change comes from each heart.
Hear our prayer of hope,
and guide this country of Canada on a new and different path.
Amen”
(shared via Facebook, by the United Church Moderator, the Rt. Rev Richard Bott)