The Divine Word Missionaries have accepted an invitation from Darwin Bishop Charles Gauci to take up the pastoral care of the people of the Tiwi Islands and Daly River.

The SVDS are already active in Darwin Diocese, having been present in Central Australia for the last 20 years, in Alice Springs, Santa Teresa, and in the Aboriginal Catholic Chaplaincy.

Provincial, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD says it was this existing relationship which fostered the invitation to take on the ministry in Bathurst and Melville Islands, off Darwin, adjoining the Timor Sea, and Daly River, which is near Katherine in the Northern Territory.

“Bishop Charles invited us on behalf of the Tiwi people, to take on this ministry,” Fr Rass says.

“It is part of our very strong commitment as a Province to addressing the ongoing plight of Indigenous people in this country.”

Fr Rass says the SVDs will be building on the legacy of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart who are withdrawing from ministry in the Tiwi Islands after more than 100 years.

“The MSCs have been in the Tiwi Islands since 1910-1911, since the time of Bishop Gsell and now they are finishing their mission there. We will definitely be building on their legacy and the strengths they brought to the ministry there for more than a century, as well as bringing our own SVD charism and willingness to take on another challenging ministry,” he says.

“It is not going to be easy. I’ve just returned from Bathurst Island and the place has history. It has Church history, history from the Second World War, cultural history, a history of dispossession, along with a proud history of amazing art and a very strong culture.

“Over the years there has often been a collision of all these different aspects of their history and it’s not always an easy place to be in.”

Despite the challenges, Fr Rass, says he was bowled over by the beauty of Bathurst Island.

“Being an islander myself, I was right at home. It is beautiful country with clean waters and great fishing, apart from the crocodiles!” he says.

“There were beautiful sunrises and sunsets and the people themselves were lovely and hospitable. They were happy to see me and very welcoming towards the SVD coming to be among them.”

Fr Rass says that despite the challenges of the ministry, the Provincial Council felt it was where the Holy Spirit was calling the SVD to be.

“We have some experience now in Indigenous ministry and of course, many of the SVDs are Indigenous themselves in their home countries, so we are well attuned to the Indigenous plight across the world, with common issues including loss of culture, loss of land, health, housing and employment challenges.

“So, it’s exciting for us to be reaching up north.”

During his visit to Bathurst Island, Fr Rass met the elders and key leaders of the community.

“They are feeling sad because the MSCs are leaving, but also they are very welcoming to the SVDs coming to work with their people,” he says.

“I was very touched when one of the elders said they had experienced grief after grief and he asked for us to work on their healing, so we will do that.

“And we also believe the place has great potential for mission. There are wonderful schools, youth, elders, the majority of whom are Catholic and they’re telling us they would like their community to grow in a healthy and positive way.

“We believe this is where the Church should be. As SVDs this is where we’re called to be. Without challenges, there is no growth in mission.”

Fr Rass says the SVD is also responding to Pope Francis’ call to be with the people on the margins and the Australian Plenary Council’s call to be a more missionary Church.

He says some of the missionaries due to be assigned to the Tiwi Islands and Daly River are already in Australia and others are soon to arrive.

“Once they’ve arrived, we will do a thorough acculturation program so that they can learn the language and culture of the Tiwi Islander people and the people of Daly River,” he says.

“We will also work with the MSCs on a transition.

“I have great hope for this mission. This is about God’s mission, active and visible and we are excited to be a part of it.”

PHOTOS by Fr Asaeli Rass SVD.

TOP RIGHT: The Catholic church on Bathurst Island.

MIDDLE LEFT: Men erecting a fish trap on the island.

BOTTOM LEFT: An Indigenous map of the Tiwi Islands.