Have you ever noticed the stone inlay in the forecourt of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne? It depicts the Creator Spirit – an eagle on the ground representing the shadow of Bunjil’s presence alongside a dove, a snake and other symbolic elements all with multi-layered meanings (read more about the inlay and its symbols). In a pamphlet explaining this inlay, the introduction penned by Archbishop Emeritus Denis Hart, says: ‘For too long the indigenous people of this country have been left on the margins of our society, and sadly this has often been true of the Church as well.’ The intention of the installation of the inlay is explained as ‘to acknowledge the wrongs of the past and to highlight the special place that Aboriginal people occupy in the Church.‘
This echoes the words of St Pope John Paul II in his 1986 Alice Spring’s address, given 40 years ago – ‘You are part of Australia and Australia is part of you. And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others.’
National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) is a time for us to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to consider how we can all contribute to reconciliation in Australia, including ways we can walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and ‘joyfully receive’ their contributions. This year’s Reconciliation Week theme is ‘All In’ and asks us to commit wholeheartedly to ongoing reconciliation actions in our local contexts.
Resources & Actions
This Reconciliation Week we invite you to reflect on the following resources and take steps for reconciliation:
- Find out more about and support the National Walk for Truth. Travis Lovett, Former Commissioner for the Yoorrook Justice Commission, is leading the National Walk For Truth that will reach its conclusion in Canberra on the first day of Reconciliation Week. This initiative is calling for a national truth-telling process that could allow for healing, deep listening and to forge a way forward for national repair.
- You can sign the open letter to the Prime Minister to show your support
- Read CSSV’s media release supporting a national truth-telling process and the Walk For Truth
- Read about the start of the Walk in Melbourne
- Join the Walk in its final stages
- Use and share the National Walk for Truth Prayer written by Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited
- Read the Plenary Council of Australia’s Decree ‘Reconciliation: Healing Wounds, Receiving Gifts’. This includes a list of commitments for schools, parishes and other Catholic organisations:
- acknowledge in a prominent and appropriate manner the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which their buildings stand
- Include the online Cultural Competency in a Catholic Context course developed by NATSICC and approved by the Bishops Commission for Relations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the orientation and/or ongoing formation of staff and volunteers to enable more effective and appropriate ministry
- ensure that any retreats and other formation activities offered are culturally appropriate
- work actively to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on its committees, boards, and decision-making bodies
- Common Grace has compiled a Reconciliation Week 2026 tool kit for parishes
- Reconciliation Australia’s website provide more information about Reconciliation Week. This includes information about the history of the week, more details about the theme, and a variety of resources
- Why not attend a Reconciliation Week event in your area? – find a Reconciliation Week event near you