Bishop Lowe attends Doctrine of Discovery symposium

A “Knowledge-Sharing Symposium on the Doctrine of Discovery” took place in Edmonton from May 26-29. The event was hosted by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), with support from the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences, and representation from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. It was organised by a group of Catholic men and women, indigenous and Church leaders and scholars.

The invited participants came from Canada, the United States, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, France, Spain and New Zealand. They included indigenous leaders, elders and knowledge keepers, representatives of Original Nations of the North American continent, historians specialising in colonisation, legal scholars, authors who have published articles and books on the Doctrine of Discovery, Catholic bishops and theologians, and participants coming from diverse spiritual traditions.

The CCCB announced its intention to sponsor the event following the publication of the Holy See’s statement on the Doctrine of Discovery in 2023. As distinct from a specifically academic symposium, the gathering followed a traditional methodology of knowledge-sharing, underlining the importance of listening and learning from differing perspectives. In addition to keynote addresses, the programme included time for smaller group discussions among participants.

The first major area of focus of the knowledge-sharing gathering was the colonisation which took place in the 15th and 16th centuries and onward, exploring its negative impacts on indigenous peoples and the justifications given by colonising powers for the taking of their lands; certain papal bulls of the 15th and 16th centuries; and the relationship between the Holy See and colonising powers during this period.

The second major area of focus addressed the legal discovery doctrine as it emerged in the 19th century, and the legacy of legal decisions depriving indigenous peoples of land and sovereignty that continue to have an impact today.

The goals of the knowledge-sharing gathering included coming to a deeper understanding of both historical and legal developments; establishing a network of scholars with differing perspectives and terminologies so as to encourage greater sharing of information; strengthening relations between the Church and indigenous peoples by engaging in deep listening and sincere dialogue; and opening up paths for common action in support of truth, accountability, healing and service of the common good.

The gathering ended with a unanimous desire to carry forward the conversation.

FULL STORY

Knowledge-Sharing Symposium on the Doctrine of Discovery (Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops)

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