Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese RELEASE
9 Jul 2013
9 Jul 2013
Blessed John Paul II encouraged Australia's first people in his landmark speech in Alice Springs in 1986
As non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians join together for NAIDOC to celebrate the culture, history and achievements of the nation's Indigenous people, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Council (NATSICC) has announced the establishment of a National Consultation into the unique contribution and special gifts Australia's first people bring to the Church.
"The consultation is aimed at discovering what can be done by Indigenous Catholics to bring to life the immortal words of Blessed John Paul II in Alice Springs in 1986,"explains Craig Arthur, National Administrator for NATSICC.
In his landmark speech to the people of Alice Springs, the late Holy Father said "the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others."
"As the peak Indigenous advisory body to the ACBC, we are proud to launch this two year consultation which will be made in collaboration with Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Ministries, councils and communities, Australia's bishops and the National Liturgical Council," he says.
The announcement of a National Consultation into Indigenous Inculturation of the Catholic Church of Australia was made on the eve of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday which was celebrated on 7 July. Coincidently the announcement came on the same day as the joyous news from the Vatican that Blessed John Paul II would be canonised before the end of the year.
NATSICC launches National Consultation on the unique gifts Australia's first people bring to the Church
JP11 is much loved across the world and his visit to Alice Springs 27 years ago continues to resonate strongly with Australia's Indigenous people.
Craig Arthur says the National Consultation will focus on three key areas and will cover Liturgy, symbols and the involvement of the laity.
"As stated by the Second Vatican Council, Liturgy is the centre of Christian life for the Church and the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives and manifest to others the mystery of Christ," Thelma Parker, Chair of NATSICC says.
Each year a special Liturgy is created by NATSICC to mark Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday and is sent to parishes and Aboriginal Catholic Ministries across the country.
Melinsa Brickell's painting celebrates the Lord, the Church and Aboriginal culture
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are deeply spiritual and through the consultation, NATSICC hopes to make whole our contribution to the life of the Church in Australia," Ms Parker says.
She points out that while cultural systems, life experiences and the history of Australia's Indigenous peoples are diverse and can vary dramatically from community to community, the National Consultation will respect and embrace these differences.
"This is about what we can do instead of what we can't," she says.
Bishop Christopher Saunders, Chair of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC) welcomes the launch of this National Consultation which will foster greater understanding and create stronger bonds between Indigenous and Non Indigenous Australians.
"To establish an authentic unity among peoples, a just relationship must be forged with humility and driven by prayerful love. Any gulf between cultures that gives rise to exclusions, suffering, despair and injustice cannot be tolerated," he insists.
The National Consultation will result in a final report and series of recommendations which will be presented to the NATSICC National Assembly to be held in Darwin in 2015.
Many leading Indigenous Catholics are taking part in this week's NAIDOC celebrations. The annual NAIDOC Ball and Awards Ceremony, the culmination of the week of Indigenous culture, history and achievements, will be held in Perth this year on Friday, 12 July.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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