Montreal Archbishop 'saddened' by Catholic role in residential schools

Montreal's Catholic Archbishop Christian Lpine says he is still struggling to come to terms with how Canadas residential school system and its abuses were allowed to happen.

Lpinesat in the audience of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissionduring its four-day stopin Montreal.

Saturday was the commissions last day in Quebec.

In an interview with CBCs Homerun, Lpine said he was struck by the humility and the courage of the witnesses, and their stories of abuse.

"What saddens me more is that as Christians we allowed that to happen. As Catholics, we allowed that to happen," Lpine said.

"I am not sure what will come out of it, even within me. But I think it's a process within me that has to be done. First, by taking the time only to listen to them."

Quebec is unique in Canada, according to chief commissioner Murray Sinclair, because of the dominant role the Catholic Church played in running residential schools.

"That speaks for the need for there to be a dialogue between the church and those communities. And that dialogue hasn't been occurring in a very good way yet," Sincair said.

While Lpine said he can only speak for the Montreal Archdiocese, he says he wants to be a part of the process by becoming more informed and helping to inform others.