Canon Norm Wesley hears Primate Fred Hiltz’s apology to Indigenous peoples on behalf of the Anglican Church of Canada. Photo: Milos Tosic/Anglican Journal

[Anglican Journal – Vancouver, British Columbia] In a speech that stirred emotional reactions and caused members of General Synod to rise to their feet, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, apologized on behalf of the national church for spiritual harm done to Indigenous peoples.

Delivering his apology to the gathering of General Synod July 11, Hiltz laid out a confession of the ways the Anglican church demonized, dismissed and actively discouraged traditional Indigenous spiritual practices.

“For such shameful behaviors, I am very sorry. We were so full of our own self-importance. To quote the Book of Common Prayer, we followed ‘too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.’ We were ignorant. We were insensitive. We offended you. And I believe we offended God.”

Read the full article here.