|
Wagga
Reconciles with Wiradjuri
( The Catholic Weekly July 23 2000 )
St Michael's Cathedral, Wagga Wagga installed a plaque acknowledging
the traditional custodianship of the area by the Wiradjuri
people.
The plaque, which was unveiled at a recent ceremony, reads:
"We acknowledge the Wiradjuri people as the traditional custodians
of this country. We respect their customs and traditions and
we extend the hand of friendship and reconciliation."
Bishop William Brennan unveiled the plaque at a recent dedication
ceremony, before a large crowd of parishioners, local community
members and Wiradjuri people.
The plaque reflects the sentiments of the Australian Catholic
Bishops' Pastoral letter of 1992 ? reprinted in part for the
celebratory Mass ?which acknowledged the way indigenous people
had come to God through their own traditions and customs.
"As Church we need to recognise this and make room for one
another so that Christ can find a home with? in all minds
and hearts, thus ensuring wholesome and shared spiritual,
growth," the letter read.
Pope John Paul II has also spoken of the way in which Aboriginal
culture has brought indigenous people to God, saying to Australia's
Aboriginal people in Alice Springs, in 1986, that culture
was their ,own way of touching the mystery of God's spirit
within you, and in creation".
Eisie Heiss, a Wiradjuri woman who now works with the Aboriginal
Catholic Ministry in the Sydney Archdiocese, who addressed
the congregation, said it was a great honour to stand with
the bishop and unveil the plaque.
The celebratory Mass was preceded by a 'gathering ceremony'
where people were invited to warm their hands before four
flames, as a commitment to reconciliation.
Elsie giving her address
|
