Vatican Rejects Doctrine of Discovery Used to Justify Colonialism

Historic Move and a Symbolic Victory for Indigenous Peoples

On Thursday, the Vatican formally rejected the Doctrine of Discovery, which was used to justify the colonial-era seizure of Native lands. The Doctrine of Discovery was a legal concept coined in an 1823 U.S. Supreme Court decision that has come to be understood as meaning that ownership and sovereignty over land passed to Europeans because they “discovered” it.

The Doctrine of Discovery took its roots from papal “bulls,” or decrees, issued in the 15th century that authorized colonial powers such as Spain and Portugal to seize lands and subjugate people in Africa and the “New World,” as long as people on the lands were not Christians. Later popes revoked the decrees, but the damage had already been done.

Indigenous groups have long sought the repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery from the Catholic Church, and their demand was finally met after decades of struggle. The Vatican’s statement repudiates the very mindsets and worldview that gave rise to the original papal bulls and strongly condemns any attitudes or actions that threaten or damage the dignity of the human person.

Vatican Acknowledges Terrible Effects of Colonial-era Assimilation Policies

The Vatican acknowledged in its statement the terrible effects of colonial-era assimilation policies on Indigenous people. The statement from the Vatican asked for forgiveness but also suggested that the doctrine has been misunderstood and manipulated by political powers to justify immoral acts against Indigenous peoples.

“The Holy See acknowledges that these principles have been misused at various times throughout history against Indigenous peoples around the world,” said Bishop Douglas Lucia of the Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y. “It is important for us to acknowledge up front just how devastating those things have been.”

Resistance in Vatican against Repudiation

While this move is historic and a symbolic victory for Indigenous peoples, there may be some serious resistance in the Vatican. The documents had been manipulated for political purposes by colonial powers to justify immoral acts against Indigenous peoples, but the Vatican says the repudiation is not intended to call into question the legitimacy of any property law that may derive from those documents.

Fundamental Change Needed in Attitudes, Behavior, Laws, and Policies

Indigenous leaders believe that a fundamental change in attitudes, behavior, laws, and policies is still needed. Institutions around the world still espouse colonial attitudes toward Indigenous people. The move is mostly symbolic, and it remains to be seen if it will affect policy in Canada.

The repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery came during the pontificate of history’s first Latin American pope who apologized to Indigenous peoples in Bolivia in 2015 for the crimes of the colonial-era conquest of the Americas. Priests welcome the Vatican statement, and many believe that it will lead to more dialogue and action.

“The Pope needs to go beyond words and into action,” said Jean La Rose, chief executive officer of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. “It’s one thing to denounce an injustice; it’s another thing to actually do something about it.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Vatican’s repudiation of colonial-era concepts that legitimized the seizure of Indigenous lands is a step forward for justice and reconciliation. The Catholic Church apologized for its role in Canada’s residential school system last summer, and now this historic move gives hope to Indigenous peoples worldwide that their voices are being heard.

“The Métis National Council welcomes today’s repudiation by Pope Francis of the Doctrine Of Discovery,” said national president Clement Chartier. “This signals a renewed commitment by the Catholic Church to walking together in a good way with Indigenous Peoples.”

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