Light of Australia talks

2005 - Hearts are Burning

In 2005, NATSIEC has organised a special series of 'The Light of Australia' talks, to help in trying to bring Indigenous issues back to the centre of Australian attention.  The talks reflected on the last 20 years since Pope John Paul II gave his speech to Indigenous people at Alice Springs in 1986, and shared some reflection about ways forward for Church and Nation.  These events were held in every capital city and some other major centres across Australia between March-May 2005, with the support of state and territory ecumenical bodies.

Read some of the keynote addresses and responses:

Bishop Jim Leftwich on Christian Faith and Aboriginal Culture

Bishop Saibo Mabo on Christian Faith and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Culture

Vicki Walker on Land and Politics

Dr.Jill Tabart on Rights and Reconciliation

Elizabeth Pike reflection - Hope built on the Dreaming

Bishop Christopher Prowse on What did the Pope say in 1986?

Rev.Shayne Blackman on Restoring a Shalom: Continuing the Indigenous Christian Journey

Archbishop Francis Carroll on Furthering the Ideal

Fr.Paul Devitt on Indigenous Contributions and Continuing Blockages

Fr.Gerry Hefferan - reflections on the Indigenous Australian Catholic Journey

View a powerpoint presentation outlining the findings of the Hearts Are Burning Tour:

Hearts Are Burning Snapshots
(this file is 2MB - for faster download, right click on the link and select 'save target as')

Previous Talks in the Light of Australia series:

• Rev Sealin Garlett, 'Aboriginal Christianity: My Journey, Our Journey'
  
• Bishop Saibo Mabo, 'Indigenous Spirituality and the Church'
  
• Marceil Lawrence, 'A tree and its fruit' - available soon