Archdiocese of Brisbane
RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
The 2026-2028 RAP is here!
We’re excited to launch the Archdiocese’s new Reconciliation Action Plan — a real, practical way for all of us to play our part in Australia’s reconciliation journey.
This Innovate RAP is all about building genuine relationships, respect, and opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s a chance for every one of us to get involved, learn, and grow connections that will shape the Archdiocese’s reconciliation work for years to come.
To use the Archdiocese of Brisbane RAP Artwork, please contact RAP Project Manager Joni McCourt for a copy of the artwork and style guide: mccourtj@bne.catholic.net.au
RAP Artwork – Artist Shara Delaney
Find out more about Shara Delaney here.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Archdiocese of Brisbane acknowledges the Traditional Custodians who have walked and cared for this land for thousands of years and their descendants who maintain their spiritual connection and traditions. We thank them for their continual cultural and spiritual connection to Country as expressed through their history, music, language, songs, art and dance.
We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, North, South, East and West and reflect on the millions of footprints that travelled the Dreaming pathways and continue to walk this land.
Our Vision for Reconciliation
Our vision for reconciliation in the Archdiocese of Brisbane is to be a community in which there is mutual respect and deep solidarity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those of us with differing heritage; a community committed to healing the hurts and wrongs of the past and being present in a spirit of mercy, love, justice, forgiveness and peace.
We want to be a Church, which recognises and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultural traditions. We recognise their spiritual connection with Land and Sea. As we continue on this journey of reconciliation, we are committed to listening to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
What is a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)?
A Reconciliation Action Plan is a strategic document that outlines practical actions for achieving the Archdiocese of Brisbane’s vision for reconciliation. RAP commitments allow the Archdiocese of Brisbane to gain a deeper understanding of our sphere of influence and establish the best approaches to advance reconciliation.
A RAP focuses on strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and piloting strategies for further reconciliation commitments and to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the Archdiocese of Brisbane.
We want to be a Church which recognises and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultural traditions. We recognise their spiritual connection with Land and Sea. As we continue on this journey of reconciliation, we are committed to listening to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Why Have a Reconciliation Action Plan?
The Reconciliation Action Plan is a guide for all agencies, parishes and communities to build respective relationships with Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander peoples to gain an understanding and appreciation of the effects of racism (systemic and casual), to acknowledge historical impacts of colonialisation on contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and identify opportunities to build new pathways to address this through a series of activities and learning opportunities.
This is not about politics or ideology, it's about the gospel. So that in the power of the gospel, we can walk together the path of a genuine and lasting reconciliation.
How do we implement the Archdiocese of Brisbane RAP?
- Have a discussion with your Parish Priest and Parish Council – Contact the RAP Manager to meet with Parish Council and Parish Priest
- Host a Parish information session/evening inviting the RAP Manager to provide information for the implementation of the Archdiocesan RAP and the benefits for your parish/community.
- Establish a small Steering Committee to identify a process for membership of the working group and agree on frequency of meetings.
At the launch of the Reconciliation Action Plan 2026 – 2028, Archbishop Shane Mackinlay stated “We need to strengthen our engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, guided by a continued deep listening to First Nations’ voices. This new RAP will provide a framework that assists all in the archdiocese to further our contribution to the work of building reconciliation in Australia.”
To assist in this building of reconciliation, we have developed resources to assist and support parishes, communities and agencies in their journey towards reconciliation. The resources developed to support your commitment to reconciliation can be found in the RAP Toolkit .
RAP Toolkit
RAP Implementation Resources
Liturgy & Prayer Resources
Prayer Resources
- 26th January –Australia Day – Prayer
- 13th February 2026 –National Apology Day – Prayer
- National Apology Day – Prayers of the Faithful
- Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony
- 20th March –National Close the Gap Day – Prayer
- National Close the Gap Day – Prayers of the Faithful
- 21st March –Harmony Day – Prayer
- Harmony Day – Prayers of the Faithful
- Easter Sunday – Prayer
- ANZAC Day
- 26th May –Sorry Day – Prayer
- Sorry Day – Prayers of the faithful
- 27th May -National Reconciliation week -Prayer
- National Reconciliation Week – Prayers of the Faithful
- 3rd June – Mabo Day – Prayer
- NAIDOC Week – Prayer
- NAIDOC Week – Prayers of the faithful
- 4th Aug National Aboriginal and TSI Children’s Day – Prayer
- 9th Aug International Day of Indigenous people – Prayer
- Indigenous Literacy Day – Prayer
- 13th September –UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous People – Prayer
- 26th Oct Anniversary of the Hand Back of Uluru to the Traditional Owners – Prayer
- 11th Nov Remembrance Day – Prayer
- 25th Dec Christmas Day – Prayer
Liturgy
- Prayer for Pope’s visit in 1986
- Voice Crying in the Wilderness -Uluru Statement From the Heart Discussion Series Developed by the Archdiocese of Brisbane and the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education based in Sydney.
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) Liturgy Resources
- Catholic Education Sandhurst Aboriginal Liturgy and Prayers
Videos
2026
2025
2024
- National Reconciliation Week 2021 Flag Raising Ceremony
- Uluru Statement From the Heart – Event Highlights
- Exploring January 26th: Framing the Conversation
- Exploring January 26th: Pain is Necessary
- Exploring January 26th: Survival Day
- Exploring January 26th: The Painful Truth
- An Opportunity to Listen: Exploring 26th January – Teaser
- An Opportunity to Listen: Exploring 26th January – full interview
- Exploring January 26th: Australian Identity
- Exploring January 26th: Celebrating Australia Day
- RAP Case Study – Our Hopes for Reconciliation
- RAP Case Study – Star of the Sea Parish
Websites
Resources for Significant Dates
Other Resources
- Archbishop of Brisbane publicly endorses the Uluru Statement from the Heart Media Release
- Ten steps towards reconciliation by NATSICC
- Acknowledgment of Country plaques by NATSICC
- Understanding Culture and Faith by NATSICC
- 10-year apology anniversary fact sheet by NATSICC
- The Apology to the Stolen Generation quick facts by the Healing Foundation
- Narragunnawali program
- Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann Dadirru (deep listening)
Contact Us
For further information about the Archdiocese of Brisbane RAP or for support with the implementation of the Archdiocesan RAP in your parish, community or agency, please contact our RAP Manager via the details below:
Joni McCourt
Archdiocese of Brisbane
Reconciliation Action Plan Manager
mccourtj@bne.catholic.net.au
Phone
07 3324 3440