Inclusion and Healing
2021 Diocesan Assembly Work
Pre-Assembly Consultation.
Prior to the 2021 Diocesan Assembly, people in the Archdiocese were surveyed about what topics and issues they wanted discussed at the Assembly. Many of the responses dealt with questions, challenges and issues related to Inclusion and Healing:
Many people asked the question, “how can we be a more welcoming and inclusive Church?” with particular emphasis on Aboriginal people, women, LGBTQIA+ persons, Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, people with differing abilities, divorced Catholics and those who have left the church. Many others named protection for the vulnerable, the unborn, those in poverty, people living with illness, and the elderly, as important issues. There were divided responses on issues relating to family planning, end of life decisions and gender.
Others called on the Church to acknowledge its part in the abuse and harm of vulnerable people and children, particularly in regard to clergy sexual abuse, bullying, and institutional abuse of Aboriginal peoples. Many people called for a formal reconciliation process, liturgy or ritual from the Church as a way to begin the healing process.
Click here to read the 2021 consultation analysis.
Assembly Recommendations.
At the 2021 Diocesan Assembly, participants gathered in groups according to the six pastoral themes. In the area of Community Life and Worship, 39 recommendations were developed (click here to read the recommendations).
We must recognise Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples by strengthening and expanding good practices and pastoral supports. Develop inclusive reconciliation processes that begin with acknowledgement of the harm and lack of inclusion on behalf of the church and work toward healing. We must commit to being a church of inclusivity, hospitality and welcome to all. We must also continue listening and being in dialogue with others, especially those who have been marginalised by the church and society.
Recommendations were developed in other groups that crossed over with this theme. You can find these in the full list of recommendations. Click here to access all the recommendations developed at the 2021 Diocesan Assembly in the six pastoral themes
2022 Diocesan Assembly Work
Pre-Assembly Feedback.
In 2022, parishes, schools, communities and Catholic agencies were invited to provide feedback on the 2021 Diocesan Assembly Recommendations by prioritising their top three recommendations for the Archdiocese, and choosing their top three for their own context.
Click here to view the Feedback Results.
Click on the image to download a pdf version of the infographic.
Key Questions
How can we become a humble, healing and merciful Church that brings the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who have felt themselves excluded, have been hurt or felt judged as not worthy to belong?
When we think about our Church (our parishes, schools, services) which groups of people are missing or who do we see as underrepresented (e.g., people and groups who are marginalized, stigmatised, or hidden from society and the Church)?
How might we the Church in the Adelaide Archdiocese meet the needs of the most vulnerable, go to the margins, and be the presence of Christ in places that may be overlooked or left behind in South Australia today? How might we partner with others to do this?
How might we approach matters such as family planning and contraception, relationship breakdown, living together without marriage, remarriage after divorce, and gender and sexual identity, with merciful, non-judgmental Gospel love?
How might the Archdiocese be open to Aboriginal ways of being Christian including spirituality, theology, liturgy, and missionary discipleship? How might we learn from the First Nations peoples?
How might the Church work with our First Nations Peoples to acknowledge past hurts and walk together on a path towards reconciliation?
How might we heal the wounds of abuse in all its forms, coming to see through the eyes of those who have been abused?
Could an Archdiocesan-led process of acknowledgement of the damage and hurt caused by clerical sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults contribute to healing?
What suggestions do you have about the elements that such a process could include?
What responses might individual parishes, schools and organisations make to support an Archdiocesan process?
Support and Resources
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From the 2022 Diocesan Assembly
Access the presentation materials from the ‘Theological Foundations’ Workshop at the 2022 Diocesan Assembly. This workshop was presented by Dr. Mario Trinidad.
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Pastoral Services Team
The Pastoral Services Team provides a wide array of pastoral resources and services to parishes, schools and communities, including leadership formation and support.
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Prison and Hospital Chaplaincy
The Archdiocese of Adelaide in its mission to care for Catholics across all areas of life, provide and support chaplains within the metropolitan public hospital system and corrections facilities. The chaplains are trained in ministry and maintain their skills with regular professional development. Regular Pastoral Supervision and Spiritual Direction assist the chaplains in their ministry and supports their self-care.
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Aboriginal Catholic Ministry
The Otherway Centre offers indigenous Catholics a Sunday Eucharist at St Martin De Porres Chapel. The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry also provides the wider indigenous community with counselling; a drop in service; work with street kids and outreach, visiting people in the streets, parks, hotels, in their own homes, in prison and in hospital. It also supports indigenous students attending Catholic Schools, Cultural awareness programs, healing and referrals, liaison with state and charitable agencies.
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Centacare Catholic Family Services
An agency of the Catholic Church which began operating in 1942, Centacare's services have grown significantly in the more than 75 years since that time. It is one of the primary non-government organisations with branches located in both metropolitan and regional areas of South Australia. Funding is sought to support Centacare's Disability Services; in particular the expansion of services offered by Kolbe Cottage and Auricht House - which provide respite care for young people living with an intellectual disability - and to ease the transition to NDIS.
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Justice Healing and Inclusion
In response to the 2021 Diocesan Assembly, the pastoral area of Justice Healing and Inclusion was established in the Pastoral Services Team. This team looks after social justice, peace, and ecology, including multicultural services, and prison and hospital chaplaincy.
