National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC)

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The Vision

 

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council promotes and celebrates the cultural identity of our Peoples across the Nation by living and expressing, in all its endeavours, the spirituality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Peoples. Through this expression and recognition of our cultural identity we will find our rightful place within the Catholic Church in Australia

 

 

 Bishops approve Mass of the land of the Holy Spirit

Australia’s Catholic bishops have formally approved a liturgy that integrates Aboriginal languages and cultural elements, titled the Mass of the Land of the Holy Spirit (Missa Terra Spiritus Sancti). This approval occurred at the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s recent plenary meeting in Sydney, earmarking the Mass for exclusive use in the Diocese of Broome, Western Australia. This decision paves the way for the Mass to be submitted to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship for official recognition, a process known as “recognitio.” 

The Mass of the Land of the Holy Spirit has been an active part of the local liturgical practice in the Diocese of Broome for over 50 years, celebrated in various Aboriginal languages. It stands as a testament to the Catholic Church’s commitment to embracing Aboriginal cultural heritage within its liturgical framework, ensuring that the spiritual expressions of Aboriginal Communities are acknowledged and incorporated into worship. 

The development of this Mass involved significant collaboration between Fr. Kevin McKelson, other clergy, and Aboriginal Elders from the Kimberley region. They worked together to translate and adapt the traditional Roman Rite into five local languages, making it relevant and accessible to the Aboriginal Communities. This effort was not merely a translation but a Cultural adaptation that respected and reflected the rich traditions and spiritual insights of the local Aboriginal people. This liturgy not only preserves the Sacred Elements of the Catholic Faith but also celebrates the unique cultural contributions of Aboriginal Communities to the Church’s life in Australia. It serves as a powerful example of how the Church seeks to foster an environment of inclusivity and respect for the diverse Spiritual and Cultural dimensions of all its members