Joint Statement
August 16, 2021
UBCIC and Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc Condemn Malicious
Hate Crimes of Rev. Marcin Mironiuk
((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – August 16, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc (TteS) are outraged and deeply disturbed by the malicious anti-Indigenous and anti-Semitic hate speech of Catholic Priest Rev. Marcin Mironiuk, which promoted Indian Residential School and Holocaust denialism during several masses last month– all of which were recorded and posted on his public congregation YouTube channel.
Joint Statement
August 16, 2021
UBCIC and Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc Condemn Malicious
Hate Crimes of Rev. Marcin Mironiuk
((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – August 16, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc (TteS) are outraged and deeply disturbed by the malicious anti-Indigenous and anti-Semitic hate speech of Catholic Priest Rev. Marcin Mironiuk, which promoted Indian Residential School and Holocaust denialism during several masses last month– all of which were recorded and posted on his public congregation YouTube channel.
Furthermore, in a display of pure racism, utter disrespect and contempt for Residential School survivors, intergenerational survivors, and First Nation caretaker communities of the missing children, Rev. Mironiuk revealed that he traveled to TteS territory and to the Kamloops Indian Residential School site. There, under deceitful circumstances in which he went “incognito” to conceal his identity as a priest, he repeatedly asked to see the unmarked graves – a request which was denied as he was told the grounds were sacred and not open to the public.
“The public incitement, willful promotion, and dissemination of hatred are punishable offences under the Criminal Code of Canada. In several publicly posted sermons, Rev. Mironiuk delivered false, derogatory, racist and severely (re)traumatizing statements to his congregation and public followers. He referred to the uncovering of mass graves at former residential schools as “the unfolding of big, big lies” that people will come to believe as truth and called upon his followers to “protect the truth,” dismissing the proven systemic abuse, violence, and atrocities committed at these schools while encouraging and inciting hatred,” stated Grand Chief Stewart, President of the UBCIC. “As further evidence of his hateful rhetoric, Rev. Mironiuk went on to make several anti-Semitic statements that compared the mass and unmarked graves at residential schools to the Jedwabne pogrom in Poland during WWII in which hundreds of Jews were murdered by ethnic Poles, an event he states was a lie perpetuated by Jewish people. It is unacceptable that the Edmonton Archdiocese initially sheltered Rev. Mironiuk and would have allowed him to continue preaching publicly, posting statement that held up his weak apology as a sign of remorse. The Archdiocese considered additional discipline and placed Rev. Mironiuk on indefinite administrative leave on August 13, 2021, only after news of what he had done hit mainstream media. This is completely unacceptable. The Archdiocese cannot claim they are committed to truth and reconciliation when they continue the Catholic tradition of protecting abusers and prioritizing their public image, only offering insincere words, never meaningful action, that minimize and downplay the severity of their role and culpability in residential schools. An administrative leave is not proportionate to the severity, cruelty, and unrepentant nature of Rev. Mironiuk’s actions, and UBCIC calls for Rev. Mironiuk’s immediate dismissal from ministry and an investigation into his actions that warrant hate crime charges.”
“In calling the unmarked and mass grave sites at residential schools “lies” and “manipulation,” and in disrespecting the rights and jurisdiction of Tk’emlúps to protect the sacred burial grounds, Rev. Mironiuk has shown us the hate, ignorance, and bigotry that has fueled and enabled Canada’s colonial regime and genocide against Indigenous peoples for centuries,” stated Councillor Jeanette Jules, Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc. “Through his callous remarks, Rev. Mironiuk has shown reprehensible disrespect towards the countless number of missing and unidentified children, and towards First Nations communities across the country who are working tirelessly to find every stolen child so they can be given the dignity of a name, identity, and a proper resting place. Additionally alarming is that it took almost a month, from when the remarks were made (July 18) to August 13, for Rev. Mironiuk superiors to take action, only after the story broke through a media outlet. Very unfortunately, this is not surprising given that the Roman Catholic Church has repeatedly refused to accept responsibility or formally apologize for its direct role in the numerous and horrific abuses committed against Indigenous children through the Residential School system, despite having operated over 70% of all Indian Residential Schools in Canada. The Catholic Church and the Canadian government have an obligation to treat the truth telling and oral accounts from residential school survivors with the utmost respect, and to provide all the funds, resources, and supports necessary for First Nations to conduct the immense legal and technical work around the mass and unmarked grave sites.”
-30-
Media inquiries:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Racelle Kooy, Media Relations for Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, 250-267-7782
UBCIC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
For more information please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca