The Basilica was smeared with red paint earlier today, in what appears to be a form of protest against the Catholic Church’s role in the residential school system.
The paint was smeared on the doors and steps, with the word “Guilty” written on the ground in front of the building. A pair of children’s shoes were seen covered in the paint. Similar paint was also seen on the steps of the Colonial Building.
Following the discovery of more than 1,000 unmarked graves at multiple residential schools across Canada, similar incidents have occurred with red paint being smeared on statues and churches.
The paint at the Basilica has been cleaned up by volunteers from the parish.
