Native American Catholics called to active role in church leadership

Published: 2004-08-04

EL PASO, Texas (CNS) -- Bishop Donald E. Pelotte of Gallup, N.M., called on Native American Catholics July 29 to take a more active part in the leadership of the church. He made the comments in his keynote address to the 65th annual Tekakwitha Conference, held July 28-Aug. 1 in El Paso. Approximately 1,000 Native American delegates from more than 20 states took part in the conference, which was hosted by El Paso's Tigua Indian tribe and the Diocese of El Paso. Speaking on the theme "Remembering in Prayer/Preparing for Action," the bishop recalled Pope John Paul II's address to the 1987 Tekakwitha Conference in Phoenix in which he thanked Native Americans for sharing their rich and ancient culture with the church. The Native American worship of the Creator and his gifts, respect for nature's blessings and the value of prayer, silence, fasting, patience and courage benefit the entire human family and are expressed most fully in the Christian way of life, he said.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .