Cape Breton University apologizes for priest’s comment about residential schools

A sign for Cape Breton University is pictured on July 15, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Darryl Reeves)

SYDNEY, N.S. — Cape Breton University has issued a public apology for remarks a Roman Catholic priest made about residential schools during a recent speech to a graduating class.

The university, based in Sydney, N.S., says Rev. Norman MacPhee was telling graduates about a school in Honduras that he helped establish when he described Fatima House as a “residential school.”

Speaking during a convocation ceremony last Thursday, the 91-year-old Cape Breton priest followed up by saying, “Residential schools don’t get good press, but this one gets very good press in Honduras.”

Later in the day, the university responded with a statement saying the priest had good intentions, but it noted that references to residential schools carry a “deeply painful legacy” for Indigenous people in Canada.

The university had invited MacPhee to the ceremony to present him with an honorary degree for his community leadership, philanthropy and commitment to education.

The university’s statement said “there is nothing about residential schools to be celebrated.”

“We acknowledge the harm and triggers these comments made by Father Norman MacPhee caused for survivors and their families of Mi’kmaw Nation. We are deeply sorry for the hurt this caused.”

MacPhee is the parish priest at Holy Cross Parish in Glace Bay, N.S., about 20 kilometres east of Sydney.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2026.