Bishop Brian Heenan – Australia Day Homily
St Joseph’s Cathedral – 26 January 2009

 

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of this land on which we stand today, the Darumbal-Gangalu people.

May I recall the words of our Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, which he addressed to the Australian Parliament and to all the people of the nation on 13 February 2008:

“Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.
We reflect on their past mistreatment.
We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations – this blemished chapter in our nation’s history.
The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.
We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.
We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.
For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.
To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.”

It is significant that this is the first Australia Day celebration since that formal, national apology was given. It is significant that this year Australian of the Year should be Professor Mick Dodson – sometimes called the “Father of Reconciliation”. We know well that many Indigenous Australians believe there is nothing to celebrate on this foundation day which they see as Invasion Day. Other Indigenous people see the day as an opportunity to begin a new relationship of respect.

We respect both points of view and to those Indigenous people here this morning, I extend to you a most sincere welcome, a welcome that you extend to all non-Indigenous people, for your people were here long before we or our forebears came to this land. As I have said before, may I say again as bishop that I am sorry for what happened and offer an unreserved apology for the injuries you suffered.

We have three flags on the sanctuary, the Australian, the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islander flags. May they represent the strong traditions that lay behind our three different stories. My hope would be that someday, there will be a flag that will draw together the traditions of the first dwellers, the Aboriginal and Islander peoples, the European traditions reflected in those who came in 1788 and later, and somehow the stories of the many nations that make up the Australia of today.

May I move on to share a few thoughts about the Australia we all love. This magnificent country, endowed with such beauty and variation of climate, gentleness and ruggedness, mountains, valleys, endless flora and fauna is pure gift to us from a God who is an incredibly creative artist. Add to that the resources, the opportunities for growth and development and above all a freedom for its citizens which is not paralleled throughout our world. We speak about the Spirit of Australia, which while it might be exaggerated at times, expresses the pride of the vast number of its citizens and is an experience that those who come from other lands, grow to appreciate very much.

Drawing on our readings, we heard from Romans (12/9-13) an invitation to respect one another, be patient, look after everyone, especially strangers. Surely this is a dream for a nation to live in harmony. Psalm 104 reminded us that God is the architect of all, and Australia, our land, is part of this great universe:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord my God, you are very great.
You are clothed with honour and majesty,
Wrapped in light as with a garment.
You stretch out the heavens like a tent,
You set the beams of your chambers on the waters,
You make the clouds your chariot,
You ride on the wings of the wind,
You make the winds your messengers,
Fire and flame your ministers.
You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
They flow between the hills,
Giving drink to every wild animal;
The wild asses quench their thirst,
By the streams the birds of the air have their habitations;
They sing among the branches.
From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
The earth is satisfied with fruit of your work….
Bless the Lord O my soul,
O Lord my God, you are very great.”

Our call is to marvel at this treasure and yet to discover more and more about it as our scientists are doing, and to safeguard it by our avoidance of pollution of the atmosphere around us.  

The Beatitudes remind us to focus on God’s high point of creation, namely ourselves, the people of God. We have a great gift in our land, in its challenging and enriching environment, yet it is relationships and care of people that are paramount. And this is where things go awry and so Jesus affirms and supports those who are forgotten, disadvantaged, persecuted or misunderstood or denied their rights.

We are disciples of Jesus but also citizens of our world and not living in a Christian ghetto. We are the people of this land Australia and called to work together, with all our differences to live out our humanity with respect for all.

We are challenged to safeguard the precious gift of life, especially the most vulnerable of all, life in the womb, and to fly the flag for all life especially the sick and the elderly. We know that society in Australia is far from perfect, yet we do our best to make our contribution to wholesomeness, integrity and respect for every citizen.

So as we thank God today and reflect on our being so blessed, we are realistic about the challenges of being a great nation.

May I conclude with a few words from the Prime Minister, spoken on the occasion of the apology about a new future:

“For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.
We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.
A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.
A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.
A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.
A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia".

darumbal_gangalu_monumentdarumbal_gangalu_stoneIllustrated: The Memorial Stone in the grounds of St Joseph’s Cathedral Rockhampton, commissioned by the Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Ministry and the Diocesan Justice Group with the inscription: “This monument commissioned by the Catholic Community of the Diocese of Rockhampton respectfully acknowledges that the Darumbal/Gangalu people are traditional custodians of the land on which the Cathedral sits. This plaque, blessed by Bishop Brian Heenan this day, 28 May 2008”