By John Andrews
Native American Catholic spirituality is an important thread in the fabric of the multicultural Church, asserts Deacon Andrew Orozco, who is pleased to see this idea promoted in a new pastoral document approved by the U.S. Bishops on June 7.
The document, “Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise: A Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry,” provides an updated pastoral plan to address the concerns of Catholic Indigenous communities.
“This document is the first of its kind,” says Dcn. Orozco, an Ipai-Kumeyaay Tribe member who ministers to Native Americans and young adults in the Diocese of San Bernardino. “They’re saying that the
Church has recognized the importance of how to minister to Native people. It’s a framework.”
Dcn. Orozco is part of an Advisory Committee of Native American Catholic ministers who helped shape the document over the past two years. He also participated in national listening sessions with Native Americans in 2019 that informed the document.
“Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise” begins with an acknowledgement of the mistreatment of Native Americans by the Church, European colonial powers and, later, the American government. Dcn. Orozco said it was important for the bishops to take responsibility in the document for past sins but added that he thinks the Church takes too much of the blame.
“I’ve done a lot of research and I’ve come to the understanding that the Church’s intent was not to come and harm the Native people,” he says. “Did it happen? Yes, but we are fallen people.”
As the Church seeks to better minister to Native American Catholics, the new document from the U.S. Bishops recommends an approach built on relationship building, listening and accountability. Dcn. Orozco says continuing the dialogue begun in the listening sessions of 2019 is key.
“In order for us to heal, we need to embrace those past traumas and say, ‘I need to move on from this,’ ” he said. “Native people need to do this with Native people.”
The document emphasizes the need for “authentic inculturation in the liturgy to deepen our relationship with Christ.” For Native Catholics, it notes “traditional rituals that complement and are compatible with Catholic doctrine and liturgical practices enhance the prayer life and religious experience of the people.”
Among California dioceses, the Diocese of San Bernardino has the only ministry office specifically for Native Americans, notes Dcn. Orozco, and many diocesan liturgies have incorporated Native American smudging, prayers and other rituals unique to their culture. Still, the diocese has faced some criticism and questions from those who do not view it as truly Catholic. This underscores the importance of
“Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise” as a teaching tool and guide for local clergy and others who minister to Native Americans, Dcn. Orozco says.
“Christ reveals Himself through the beauty of our culture,” he says. “It doesn’t matter what culture that is.”
In the document’s conclusion, the bishops note: “An unfortunate tension exists today for many Indigenous Catholics, who feel they are presented with a false choice: Be Native or be Catholic…For Native Catholics who feel this tension, we assure you, as the Catholic bishops of the United States, that you do not have to be one or the other. You are both. Your cultural embodiment of the faith is a gift to the Church.”
John Andrews is the Communications Director of the Diocese of San Bernardino. Catholic News Agency contributed to this article.