Walking Together in Christ: ADPC 2026 Celebrates Faith, Culture and Leadership
Aboriginal Catholic leaders from communities across the Diocese of Darwin gathered at Nungalinya College from 21–24 September 2026 for the Aboriginal Diocesan Pastoral Council (ADPC), under the theme “Walking Together in Christ: 40 Years On!” based on St John Paul IIs visit in Alice Springs.
The four-day gathering brought together Aboriginal leaders from Central Australia communities, leaders from communities in and around Wadeye and Daly River, and leaders from Tiwi Islands and Darwin for prayer, listening, fellowship and discernment about the future of Aboriginal Catholic leadership for their communities.
The gathering began with an Acknowledgement of Country, welcome by Bishop Charles Gauci and a memorable Rosary and Catholic Fellowship around the fire. Across the following days, community-led morning prayer, Mass, praise and worship, a healing night, fellowship and group discussions created space for participants to encounter Christ and one another. A Praise and Healing Night included Reconciliation, Adoration and prayer ministry, while an Aboriginal-led Fellowship Night brought together music, testimony and prayer.
A significant focus was remembering the past Aboriginal Catholic leaders who laid foundations of faith in their communities. Participants shared stories of leaders whose lives were marked by prayer, service, teaching, visiting the sick, music, art and passing faith to younger generations. Across the stories, common qualities emerged: strong Catholic faith, humility, patience, service, cultural strength and commitment to forming young people.
Community discussions also explored how God’s Spirit has always been present among Aboriginal peoples—through Country and creation, family and kinship, Elders, language, stories, song, dance, art and traditional knowledge. Participants reflected on how prayer, Scripture, the sacraments and the Gospel can strengthen these gifts and bring faith and culture together in the life and mission of the Church.
Importantly, ADPC was also about looking forward. Communities identified practical hopes including stronger local leadership teams, greater participation of young people, children’s catechesis, regular Mass and prayer, Bible reading, healing and bush retreats, and closer collaboration between Elders, younger leaders, priests and Catholic organisations.
The gathering concluded with a Travel Blessing, music, group photo and farewells, but its mission continues. ADPC 2026 affirmed that Aboriginal Catholic leadership is not simply about holding a position—it is about faithful service, walking together, passing faith to the next generation, and allowing the gifts of culture and faith to enrich the life of the Church.
The ADPC event really affirmed the words of St John Paul II which was addressed towards the Aboriginal people in Alice Springs ‘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.’