Today, Friday 13 February 2026, marks the 18th anniversary of the formal apology delivered in 2008 by then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for the injustices and harm inflicted, especially to the Stolen Generations.
On this National Apology Day, I invite the faithful of the Diocese of Darwin to pause in remembrance and reflection. We acknowledge the deep suffering experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the enduring impact of past injustices.
As Church, we reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation, to respectful listening, and to fostering relationships grounded in dignity and truth. May this day strengthen our shared resolve to work for justice, healing, and lasting peace for all.
Let us pray:
God of justice, mercy, and healing,
You are present in every chapter of our story
in our joys and in our sorrows.
We remember the suffering endured by
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We acknowledge the pain caused by injustice,
by exclusion, and by indifference.
Lord, purify our hearts.
Give us the humility to listen deeply,
the honesty to face the truth,
and the courage to act with compassion.
Heal the wounds that still ache.
Restore dignity where it has been diminished.
Strengthen communities with hope and resilience.
May your Spirit guide us
to walk together as brothers and sisters,
to honour the rich cultures and wisdom of this land,
and to build a future shaped by justice, peace,
and genuine reconciliation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.