Denise Bowden, the chief executive of Yothu Yindi, signing the Uluru Statement from the Heart in Central Australia. Photo: Australian Human Rights Commission, Denise Bowden, Yothu Yindi CEO, signing the Uluru statement, CC BY 2.0
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday (July 3) is the annual acknowledgement of the gifts, leadership and achievements of Australia’s First Nations Peoples in the Church. Australian Catholics across the country have affirmed the Church will be enlivened with a full participation of First Nations Peoples in spirituality, theology, liturgy and missionary discipleship. In October 2021, the First Assembly of the Plenary Council for the Church in Australia declared, “we believe that the Spirit has been saying that it is long past the time for our Church to acknowledge and receive fully the gift of that contribution.” Sabrina Stevens, a Kuku Yalanji and Yidinji woman from Far North Queensland, and First Nations member of the Plenary Council, said, “we want to give glory to God our Father in the ways in which we can understand most, by using our cultural gifts, and we want to share this in relationship with you.”
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples speak of the value of relationships across time immemorial with Creator, land and peoples. Showing respect for sacred connections and keeping culture is foundational to their expression of spirituality and flourishing of community. Sherry Balcombe, a Djabaguy/Okola woman and coordinator of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in Victoria, says, “our ancestors are with us always, they strengthen us, they hold us, they are all around us. It is what drives us, it connects us, it embraces our spirit and keeps us strong. We learn the oneness of being at ease without words, just being together. Feel the stillness, connect with God. Remember my people are in this landscape, we are part of it and it is part of us.”
NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) week (July 3 to 10) celebrates the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that have raised awareness and led actions towards justice for First Nations Peoples. NAIDOC week encourages everyone to participate in this process. This year’s NAIDOC theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
The Uluru Statement from the Heart proclaimed by 250 delegates in May 2017 invites all Australians to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a movement of the people for the establishment of a First Nations Voice in the Constitution, a process of agreement-making and truth-telling about our history. In May 2022, faith leaders from across Australia, including the Catholic, Anglican and Uniting Churches, the Australian Council of Imams, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Australian Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus , signed a Joint Resolution in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli said, “My hope is simply that Catholics will be inspired by Jesus to join the hard work of finding constitutional recognition of the voice of First Peoples into our Parliament and that reconciliation will find new energy and witness at this moment in history.”
The momentum for recognition and reconciliation is growing, but there is need for greater action. Caritas Australia states Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience more disadvantage than other Australians across almost every measurement of wellbeing, including financial, social, physical and mental health. First Nations Peoples are incarcerated at significantly higher rates than other Australians and there are horrendous consequences for children imprisoned as young as 10-years-of-age. The forced removal of children and whole communities from their Country, culture and language, has an ongoing inter-generational impact. First Nations Elder, Agnes Palmer, said, “we have experienced a massive grief on a large scale, as much as that of other Indigenous groups throughout the world, perhaps more.”
Members of the Plenary Council have recommended a process be developed for the Church to acknowledge the “failures in her treatment of and relationship with First Nations peoples and for making a gesture towards healing for those who have experienced trauma, woundedness and suffering.” This would involve a commitment to a pilgrimage of understanding and a process of spiritual growth and engagement.
The key body representing First Nations Catholics, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) has invited all Catholics to make 2022 a year of action to strengthen Australia’s foundation by supporting First Nations Peoples. International Columban Leader, Fr Tim Mulroy, says that in the face of much suffering in our world we need to strengthen solidarity and remain sharpened to mission.
Photo: canva.com/Wayne Quilliam
There are many things that everyone can do to address the unfinished business of reconciliation. Supporting the building of rightful relationships and being open to new ways of celebrating our faith in light of the wisdom and experience of First Nations Peoples is an important one. The process of national reconciliation in Australia takes place in everyday life, including commitments to become aware of unconscious bias and to stamp out racism.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council recommends tangible actions towards reconciliation, including signing and showing support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, seeking out Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to share stories in parishes and organisations, attending Mass at Aboriginal Catholic Ministries, acknowledging First Nations Peoples at Mass, meetings and in publications, and providing welcoming and inclusive spaces.
NAIDOC week encourages everyone to participate in this process. This year’s NAIDOC theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
Sr Caroline Vaitkunas RSM, Peace, Ecology and Justice Office, Columban Mission Centre, Essendon.
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