Part of the Australian Catholic Church’s reconciliation and healing will be to introduce indigenous culture into the Catholic liturgy, as well as memorials for the “awful harm and trauma” of child sexual abuse committed by priests and Church workers.
As the country celebrates NAIDOC Week, the proposals were revealed by the Bishop of Sandhurst, Shane Mackinlay, after the first full day of the plenary council assembly being held in Sydney.
The plenary is yet to complete full voting on motions dealing with indigenous reconciliation, and repentance for abuse, however, Bishop Mackinlay, the vice president of the plenary council, spoke about “introducing in a liturgical and culturally appropriate way, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to accompany and complement our liturgies.”
He said a smoking ceremony or Welcome to Country were always conducted before the liturgy started, and he was not suggesting these rituals would become part of the liturgy.
“What’s proposed in the motion is a different thing – it’s about what elements might we introduce… for instance how might we celebrate the penitential rite drawing on aboriginal spirituality,” Bishop Mackinlay said.
During a closed-door session of the Plenary Council on Monday, Bishop Mackinlay said two indigenous members gave “powerful testimony” about the meaning of their rituals and cultural heritage.
“It was quite revealing for a lot of us to be invited into that space,” he said.
Queensland indigenous member, Toni Janke said she was pleased with how bishops and other plenary members had listened to indigenous voices.
“Well, there’s been a real strong sentiment right through the plenary not just in this particular second assembly, but certainly since the first assembly, have a real, genuine willingness to really look at First Nations issues and to say, how can we as a church move forward?” Ms Janke, a Wuthathi and Meriam woman, said.
“Obviously, we’ve got to recognize that different countries, different people around the world are doing different things, but in Australia, what does it mean? For us in Australia? How are we different and I think the biggest difference obviously, is First Nations or First Nations, people, culture, heritage, and how, as I guess, as a nation and as a church, I want to embrace in that moving forward,
Bishop Mackinlay also spoke of introducing prayers of lament as one form of memorial to mark the significance of child sex abuse trauma and the ongoing duty of care “we owe those who have been hurt”.
“There are already physical memorials of different kinds… there are other ways in our actions we remember significant things,” he said.
Bishop Mackinlay said prayers and laments could acknowledge the harm that has been done, and the breach of trust, and could complement existing liturgical materials used in parishes to mark Safeguarding Sunday.
Earlier, the Plenary Council opened with the lighting of a Plenary Council candle from the coals of a smoking ceremony fire in the grounds of the St Mary’s Cathedral College.
Then the Plenary Council president, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe addressed members, acknowledging the failure of the Church to live up to its calling of discipleship as the People of God.
“This week we will acknowledge again, in sorrow and in shame, the damage our failures have caused in the lives of many people,” he said.
The challenge ahead means ensuring “that when people engage with the Church they experience healing, hope and safety: that they experience the compassion and mercy of God”.
At the close of the day Plenary Council members attended Mass in the Ukrainian Rite, celebrated by Bishop Mykola Bychok, with Syro-Malabar Bishop Bosco Puthur preaching the homily.
Bishop Bosco Puthur prayed for the peace and liberation of Ukrainians “from all enemies… For God’s care over all the armed forces who perform their duty to protect Ukraine, for the injured, for the displaced, for those who have lost their relatives, homes and property”.
More than 30 motions in eight topic areas are being considered at the Plenary Council Assembly this week.
Sessions will be livestreamed each day from 8.30am AEST.
Follow the second assembly of the Plenary Council at: www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au
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