Commission calls for volunteers and pastoral support as mass-graves investigation begins
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Summary
Commissioners noted an ongoing mass-graves investigation and asked members to sign up to volunteer; the body also discussed providing ongoing pastoral support during recovery work.
Commissioners reported that a mass-graves investigation has begun and asked commission members to sign up if they wished to volunteer in the effort. The commission also discussed spiritual support for recovery operations and asked Pastor Mason — identified in the meeting as a commissioner who is also a pastor — to provide prayer and pastoral presence as remains are recovered.
At the Oct. 17 meeting commissioners stressed the sensitivity of the work and the need to coordinate volunteer roles and ceremonial supports. One commissioner said she had circulated information to past genealogy-workshop participants to recruit volunteers and that staff would follow up to confirm sign-ups and to broaden outreach to commission members who may not have received the initial notice.
Commissioners asked staff to provide clearer sign-up instructions and to make contact information available for volunteers. The commission also discussed how to ensure cultural and religious protocols are observed during recovery and any subsequent public ceremonies.