The Power of Apology

A few years ago, some pollster called me and asked me if I thought the Canadian government should apologize to the Native Peoples for taking their children away and putting them in government-run schools. This happened before I was born. A second question was whether or not I thought the Roman Catholic Church should apologize for the actions of a few of it's priests who sexually abused altar boys. In both instances, I had a hard time accepting that any instution could or should apologize for the actions of a few of its members, especially when these actions took place in the distant past.

Today, I was listening to the news and I heard that the Prime Minister of Britian is going to apologize to the "Home Children" (children sent to Canada and other British colonies during the Second World War who were basically made into indentured servants by having to work for the families that "bought" them until they were 18).

And I have to say, my attitude has changed completely. I thought about young King Josiah, who was himself a righteous man, but when he discovered the truth about his people's sinful ways he was filled with remorse and lead his people to repentance. (You can read about King Josiah in the Book of 2Kings, chapter 22 - in the Bible).

So, when I hear what Prime Minister Brown is going to do, my heart rejoices. I know what an incredibly healing thing this is going to be. And I think it is a very powerful thing that our Canadian Prime Minister has formally apologized to the Native Peoples for all the atrocities done unto them by us. How can we have unity in this land without such healing? And again, what a powerful healing and restoration for the Pope to apologize for the sins of the Catholic Church.

I would like to state now that for any and all sins of my forefathers, I am sorry. I repent of all injustices, all slanders, all untruths, all unrighteous acts that my ancestors have committed. I declare that from this day forward, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. We will follow His ways, and walk in His precepts. Amen and amen.