The Doctrine of Discovery and the PCC

What is the Doctrine of Discovery?

The Doctrine of Discovery is a set of concepts developed from a series of papal bulls (decrees) issued around the 15th century. It goes hand in hand with the concept known as terra nullius, Latin for “empty land.” The bulls that developed and supported these concepts provided theological justification and legal backing to European monarchs to invade and seize non-Christian lands, enslave non-Christian people “in perpetuity” and take their property. The sinful idea that European colonial powers had a right to appropriate lands and possessions and treat non-Christians as undeserving of rights flows from this doctrine and these concepts, and heavily influenced the legislation that eventually governed Indigenous-Crown relations. This doctrine and these concepts also profoundly shaped the system of residential and day schools in which the church was complicit.

Responding to Call to Action 46 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, The Presbyterian Church in Canada repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery at its General Assembly in 2019. You can find resources regarding the Doctrine of Discovery, including links to videos, a webinar discussing the PCC’s legacy of colonization and residential schools that opens with an examination of the Doctrine of Discovery and how it was reflected in the polices and practices of the PCC, some study questions for reflection, and a list of further resources below. You can find more information about the church’s actions and efforts towards reconciliation at the Indigenous Justice page of the Social Action Hub.

Download the full report to the 2019 General Assembly repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery

Download “Repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery in Practice,” excerpted from the 2021 General Assembly Acts and Proceedings

Webinar Information

In continued response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #59 (that churches develop ongoing education strategies to ensure that their respective congregations learn about their church’s role in colonization, the history and legacy of residential schools and why apologies were necessary) the PCC hosted a webinar on the church’s legacy of colonization and residential schools, which begins with a discussion of the Doctrine of Discovery and how it shaped the church’s role in colonization and the residential schools. You can view the webinar at this link .

The Influence of the Doctrine of Discovery on The Presbyterian Church in Canada

Video Description:
The Doctrine of Discovery has significantly shaped the relationship between the church and Indigenous Peoples. TRC Calls to Action 46 and 49 call on churches to reject “concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius.” Watch this video to learn more about the Doctrine of Discovery and how it has impacted The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s mission and ministry with Indigenous Peoples.

Image of arrow pointing downDoctrine of Discovery Research

Questions for Discussing the PCC video, The Influence of the Doctrine of Discovery on The Presbyterian Church in Canada:

  1. Had you heard of the Doctrine of Discovery or terra nullius before watching this video? If so, where did you hear about it? If not, why do you think that is?
  2. Did anything surprise you about what you heard in the video? Did anything upset you?
  3. In what ways do you see the Doctrine of Discovery as connected to the Indian Residential Schools System? What other aspects of Indigenous Peoples’ lives were influenced by the Doctrine of Discovery?
  4. This video provides historic examples of how the Doctrine of Discovery impacted The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s mission and ministry with Indigenous Peoples up until the 1960s. How do you think the Doctrine of Discovery continues to affect the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the church (or between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, more broadly)?
  5. If you are an Indigenous person, how do you think it would be to watch this video as a non-Indigenous viewer? If you are a non-Indigenous person, how do you think it would be to watch this video as an Indigenous viewer?
  6. After watching this video, do you think it is important to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery? If not, why not? If so, what steps do you think are important to take?

Further Resources

What have other faith organizations said about the Doctrine of Discovery? Other denominations’ responses and materials for further reading can be found below.

Ecumenical statements and resources:

Single denomination/group statements and resources: