Australia: Cultivated Aboriginal Culture – ZENIT

This Tuesday, May 7, 2024, the Australian Catholic Bishops officially approved a new liturgy in line with Aboriginal language and culture.

there” Mass From the land of the Holy Spirit Although it has already been celebrated in remote parts of Australia for more than 50 years with the tacit agreement of the Vatican, it has yet to be submitted to the Dicastery for Divine Worship.

According to the magazine KuruksThe National Council of Tribal Catholics recognizes this liturgy as a “ The unique Mass, which beautifully combines Catholic tradition and indigenous culture, creates a unique celebration of faith.(…) The Mass is not simply a liturgical practice, but a concrete expression of the Church's commitment to recognize and value the spiritual and cultural dimensions of life. of tribal people. »

Since the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis has often expressed his interest in indigenous peoples. During the Synod of Bishops in Amazonia in 2019, he emphasized the need to better cultivate faith in these communities, especially through the creation of seminaries to promote liturgy and local vocations.

On May 8, the Holy Father regularly welcomes indigenous leaders to the Vatican, such as Mundia Kebanga, the traditional leader of Papua New Guinea. He is also planning an apostolic trip to Asia and Oceania next September in Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Singapore.

Before him, Pope John Paul II, who visited Alice Springs in 1986, made the announcement to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the country's north. You are a part of Australia and Australia is a part of you… The church in Australia will not be complete until you make your contribution to the life of Jesus, and that contribution will not be gladly received by others.»