Bishop joins in Sorry Day at St Teresa’s
ACROSS the Diocese, many schools and parishes marked National Sorry Day on May 26.
Bishop Tim Harris marked the day by celebrating Reconciliation Mass at St Teresa’s College in Abergowrie.
The students welcomed Bishop Tim, Fr Damian and Fr Sylvester and as part of the ritual, painted traditional markings in their face with ochre, a traditional paint used in Aboriginal ceremonies.
Bishop Tim in his opening remarks acknowledges the significance of the day.
“We’re acknowledging the anniversary of when the government of the time, on behalf of the people of Australia, said sorry to the Stolen Generations,” Bishop Harris said.
“These were dark days in our history. The government at the time said sorry for all
Australians. Today we continue to say sorry for what has been.
“What’s called for is a change of heart and mind and attitude,” he said.
More than 50,000 First Nations children were forcibly removed from their families in Australia from the 1800s through to the 1970s.
Children were placed in foster care or into state or church homes by successive governments.
In 2008 Kevin Rudd became the first Prime Minister to apologise for the injustices.
After echoing Rudd’s apology, Bishop Tim said that his church strived to play a positive role in the lives of First Nations Australians in 2022.
“We’re here very much surrounding all those who come to a place like this school,” he said.
Bishop Tim expressed to those gathered that the Diocese was committed to reconciliation, not just by words but actions.
“Our First Nations people need to speak and be heard by the community,” he said.
“Heard and accepted. Not because we have to, but because it is the right thing to do.
“What’s called for is a change of heart and attitude and mind.
“I’d like to pray today that God will help us with a change of attitude, a change of heart and a change of mind.
“This country needs to go forward, not separately or divided, but together, walking as one.
“So that’s our prayer, and I’ve come today to honour you, because you are our first peoples, and you come from a long tradition.
“I’ve only been in this world 59 years. Your people have been around 60,000 years or more.
“So let’s acknowledge who we are. Let’s stand tall. We’re gifts from God. God loves every single one of us, and we have a dignity that he has given to us. So let’s celebrate all of that today.
“There’s a history and we need to acknowledge that history. And make sure that that history is alive and well. That it’s actually a living history.
“You can’t change history, you can build upon it, you acknowledge and you act in the present with the hope of creating a better future.”
The NATSICC (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council) conference will be held in Townsville between September 19 and 23.