40th Anniversary of Saint Pope John II’s 40th address to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
2026 marks the 40th Anniversary of St Pope John Paul II's address to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Alice Springs. The address was a pivotal moment because it spoke not only to us, but to the whole of the Church in Australia.
It is timely that we look back at what has been achieved in the past 40 years, but also be honest about what has not progressed.
Why is this important?
Jesus spoke directly to the hearts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on 29 November 1986 in Australia’s heart – Alice Springs.
The message was delivered to our people by his devoted apostle Saint John Paul II. We had traveled along our well worn trade routes from every corner of Australia to encounter God on that day.
As Saint John Paul II spoke, a wind storm picked up the red soil from the Earth and swirled it amongst our people. The dust seemed to intertwine with the words of love, hope and empathy. The message touched our souls and it touched our skin. Never before had we felt so welcome in the house of Jesus The impact of this day on our lives cannot be measured. It provided the encouragement for the establishment of Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Ministries all over Australia and it lit the fire our hearts which still provides the warmth, energy and strength for us to continue. We now have over 120,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics in Australia and the support of our Australian Catholic Bishops on our journey of faith.
“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."
Quotes
Timeless wisdom
Relive the words that ignited the faith in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics and resulted in the establishment of Indigenous Ministries across Australia
‘Your culture, which shows the lasting genius and dignity of your race, must not be allowed to disappear… Your songs, your stories, your paintings, your dances, your languages, must never be lost.’
‘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.’
‘If you stay closely united, you are like a tree standing in the middle of a bushfire sweeping through the timber. The leaves are scorched and the tough bark is scarred and burned; but inside the tree the sap is still flowing, and under the ground the roots are still strong. Like that tree you have endured the flames, and you still have the power to be reborn. The time for this rebirth is now!’
‘you have lived in this land and fashioned a culture that endures to this day. And during all this time, the spirit of God has been with you.’
‘It is wonderful to see how people ... find points of agreement between their own traditions and those of Jesus and his people ...’
‘For thousands of years this culture of yours was free to grow without interference by people from other places. You lived your lives in spiritual closeness to the land, with its animals, birds, fishes, waterholes, rivers, hills and mountains. You did not spoil the land, use it up, exhaust it, and then walk away from it. You realised that your land was related to the source of life.’
‘The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ speaks all languages. It esteems and embraces all cultures. It supports them in everything human and, when necessary, it purifies them. Always and everywhere the Gospel uplifts and enriches cultures with the revealed message of a loving and merciful God.’
‘You have learned how to survive, whether on your own lands, or scattered among the towns and cities. Though your difficulties are not yet over, you must learn to draw on the endurance which your ancient ceremonies have taught you. Endurance brings with it patience; patience helps you to find the way ahead, and gives you courage for your journey.’
‘Dear Aboriginal people: the hour has come for you to take on new courage and new hope. You are called to remember the past, to be faithful to your worthy traditions, and to adapt your living culture whenever this is required by your own needs and those of your fellowman.”
Photo Gallery
Aboriginal and Torres Strait users are advised that these images depict those that have passed away.
Aboriginal Perspective
Betty Pike
We must have courage!
Just as Paul and Barnabas were bringing a message to the Jews of their time, Pope John Paul 11 was also bringing the Gospel message to Aboriginal people; indeed, not only to us, but to all Australians as well. Of course there were some people who did not agree with the Pope’s message, just as there were some Jews who did not listen to the message Paul and Barnabas were offering.
For thousands of years Aboriginal people have lived in this land and fashioned their culture that endures to this day. The Spirit of the Creator has been with us. The ‘Dreaming’ influenced our lives so strongly, that no matter what happens, we remain forever a people that have been touched by the Spirit of the Creator of all things.
The silence of the bush taught us quietness of soul, giving us details of a kinship that spoke of the reverence for birth, life and human generation. We knew that children needed to be loved, and to be full of joy. They need a time to grow in laughter and to play, secure in the knowledge that they belong. We had great respect for the need of law, as a guide to living fairly with each other. So we created a legal system – very strict it is true; but it made our society orderly; the reason our culture survived, 60,000 years or more, longer than any culture in the world today. Ceremonies of discipline for young men and women taught them responsibilities as they came to maturity. It is amazing to see how, when the gospel was accepted, there were many points of agreement between our Aboriginal traditions and the traditions of Jesus and His people. Past hurts cannot be healed by violence, nor are present injustices removed by resentment. The Spirit of forgiveness and compassion is the only key to resolving these hurts.
If we stand closely united we become like a tree, standing in the middle of a bush fire sweeping through the timbers. The leaves are scorched and burned, and the tough bark is scarred, but inside the tree, the sap is still flowing, and under the ground the roots are still strong.
A new world is emerging for us, and our contribution must be fully and joyfully received by all Australia.
We must have the courage to listen to the words of the Spirit:
“Do not be afraid I have called you by your name, you are mine…
I will give you a new heart, and new hope; you shall be my people, and I will be your God,
and shepherd you into the future, so that you all might have life…
in your own land, and have it to the full.”
2026 Resources and Activities
Other Resources
Contemporary Challenges
40 years on.....
“walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the journey. Do not go ahead, or linger behind – we must be side by side.”
Challenges described in 1986 still remain.
The Closing the Gap report card presented by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (February 2026) highlights the lack of progress in health, life expectancy, education and incarceration. Across Australia, young Aboriginal people are 26 times more likely to be in detention and are more likely to be incarcerated than attend University.
What can you do?
Embrace the Principle of Subsidiarity on a personal, Parish, School and organisational level. Subsidiarity requires that decisions are made by the people closest and most affected by the issues and concerns of the community. It also advocates that the individual is sacred. The principle is imperative because every person, family and intermediate group has something original to offer to the community.
Read the Closing the Gap Report Card to gain an understanding of the challenges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face on a daily basis
Host a discussion group in your parish around the issues raised by Saint John Paul II’s address in Alice Springs
Visit www.natsicc.org.au to find out if there is an Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Ministry in your Diocese and contact them to learn what they do in the Diocese and if you could help them or be part of their educational programs.
Invite a local First Nations speaker to address your next club, group or committee meeting on the issues facing Indigenous peoples today.
Work with the local Aboriginal people to erect a plaque in your school or church grounds or on the entrance to the main building to recognise the traditional custodians of the land