on Indigenous and Church conserns
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Where’s the Native Ministry Office?
Dear Associates and Visitors:
27,000 Native Americans Neglected in NYC
I moved to Staten Island about four years ago. I’ve searched the internet a few times looking to see what sort of
Ministry is available for Native Americans in the region in and around New York City. I found nothing on the web sites for the Dioceses of:
New York, New Jersey nor for Brooklyn/Queens. I checked adjoining dioceses and found nothing.
I found an impressive looking page for the Episcopalian Diocese in New York City. I emailed them twice a year during these past four years
and they haven’t responded yet. Maybe it’s inactive?
So, this takes me to this page of my web site. I don’t have a big following on this web site, but if you’re reading this and you feel you’d
like to see what can be done to establish an office for Native Catholics, contact me.
This does not have to be only for Catholics. I happen to be Catholic, so that’s were I am starting. You don’t have to be an “active” Native
American Catholic; in fact you might even have some problems with the Church, but would also like to see what can be done to alleviate some
of the distance the Churches have with Native People. The key to healing, I think, is in the hands of Native Spirituality.
There are places in this country where more is being done by and for Native People with regards to Church and Native issues. Why not here in
New York and New Jersey, and maybe near by Pennsylvania?
The heading to this letter states an estimated 27,000 Indigenous Americans live in New York City. That’s not counting the larger number
surrounding the city. I know you’re out there, Tainos, Pima, Yaqui, Lakota, Karib, Okla-Choctaw, Anishinabe, and others. Its time we let the
Bishops and pastors know you are here also. I know you’re not all Catholics, or might have been, but haven’t had much of a reason to visit
the Church in awhile if you are; and I don’t blame you either - - the Church has done some real damage.
So, if you’re of a mind to help repair things and maybe get a truly “Native” Christian voice heard, I hope you’ll comment and even more – get
together and talk with me and with some other Native People who share some of these thoughts.
Thank you (migwetch)
Brother Joshua Seidl, SSP
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Our sister, Bluskywoman Sitting In, shares a responce with us. Please scroll to the bottom section of this page.
PS: I was told I would never be given a ministry job and that no one will take me serious if I am open to minstry concern issues with Native Americans. Well, that's just too bad. I'm here to tell you - we need to give moral support to those Natives People, particularly our young people, who want to serve in Church Ministry as the Native People Grandfather created them to be. No more squeezing Natives out of seminary and out of our of Religious Orders if they "act too Indian." As for me, heck I'm too old and too experienced and way to ornery to take leave because of some one else's ignorant biases.
(Do I hear an "Amen?") Call or email me.
Amen from DD, NC Amen from BI, USA
Amen from JS, WI
1st comment: May 27, 2010. Re: Where is the Catholic Church? ---What can we do now?
Thank you for sharing with us once again Brother Joshua, I too have been asking this question, and I find I get buried in the cycle. It is and has been too much to handle, it overwhelmed me, but then I went to my elders for guidance and help. This is what they have taught me.
This oppression hasn't stop, but has taken new forms, such as the Indian Act, etc.; but it is also imperative that we Natives see we are doing this to our own also. I couldn't and never will I ever understand the pain our people went thru in these Residential Schools. It is understandable for them to seek justice and peace in order to move forward. Every one deserves to pursue this with different approaches and from various angles to walk their path to heal. That is the only way they know in how to keep going.
There are others who won't bring it up because . . . (read more on page two) -- BI, USA