The background to this is that no human remains were found after a three-year search, reports the Catholic Herald portal.
The case first caused a stir in 2015 when the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) published alleged evidence of 215 graves on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School based on ground penetrating radar scans.
This brought into focus the residential schools that had been established between the late 19th century and the 1990s to educate Indigenous children.
These schools were mostly run by the Catholic and Anglican churches and financed by the state.
Although it is known that some children died there, historical records show that most deaths were due to diseases such as tuberculosis.
Church asked for forgiveness
However, investigations by the commission did not lead to the discovery of any human remains. A report by the New York Times in 2021 brought suspicions about the murder of hundreds of indigenous children in church care back into the public eye.
The public reaction was massive and resulted in arson attacks and vandalism at around 120 churches.
The Pope also spoke of the "shocking discovery of the remains of 215 children". Canadian bishops and religious communities asked for forgiveness at the time.
In July 2022, Pope Francis finally travelled to Canada and personally asked the indigenous peoples for forgiveness for the Catholic Church's involvement in "oppressive and unjust policies" against the country's indigenous peoples.
On his return flight, he explained that although he had not used the term "genocide" in his speeches, he had nevertheless spoken of a genocidal operation, as the violent suppression of the culture of the indigenous peoples had this character.
Investigations without result
In order to further clarify the allegations, the Canadian government set up a commission of experts to provide technical assistance in the search for graves, archival research and genealogy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had claimed in 2024 that there had been murders.
As the search did not yield the hoped-for results, the government is now cancelling funding for the investigation. The commission will be disbanded at the end of the month, which has been criticised by the commission itself.
In a statement, the Canadian government is called upon to continue funding the investigation in order to find the missing children and commemorate them.