Hospitality of our indigenous people

BY JOHN MCLAURIN

ARCHBISHOP Christopher Prowse has highlighted the culture and hospitality of indigenous people as he celebrated Mass for NAIDOC Week and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday

“We must never forget that it is not so much that we are welcoming Aboriginal people to this Mass, but Aboriginal people are welcoming us,” he said in his homily.

“They are welcoming us to their ancient homeland.

“They have been here for over 60,000 years and have so much more to teach us. Migrant Australia has been here just over 200 years.”

Archbishop Prowse thanked elder Sally Fitzgerald and the local indigenous community.

“There are quite a lot of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at this Mass, and I greet you and I thank you for your humble welcome to us at the start of Mass to your country.

“Please do feel, dear Aboriginal friends, my love and support and solidarity with you in all your tremendous challenges in life.

Archbishop Prowse spoke of going to Alice Springs in November last year to commemorate the 30^th anniversary of St Pope John Paul II’s 1986 visit highlighting the importance of “receptive listening” and “appreciating each other”.