Bishop Chad Zielinski of the Diocese of New Ulm, Minn., center right, and Father Michael Carson of San Jose, Calif., standing next to Bishop Zielinski, joined Bishop Larry Silva, center left, and attendees of the second Catholic Hawaiian Summit at St. Stephen Diocesan Center in Kaneohe. Bishop Zielinski is chairman and Father Carson is assistant director of the USCCB Subcommittee on Native American Affairs. (Courtesy photo)
By Karen Ululani Victor and Lisa Gomes
Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
“Aia hoi, nani ka maikai a me ka oluolu o ka noho lokahi pu ana o na hoahanau!” (Halelu/Psalm 133:1)
“How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one!”
In January 2022, nearly 30 participants from diverse professional and community service backgrounds attended the first Catholic Hawaiian Summit at St. Stephen Diocesan Center.
Facilitated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church, this inaugural event gathered devout Catholics of Native Hawaiian ancestry to focus on the host culture of Hawaii.
After two days of discussion, the group drafted a narrative statement on the unique interplay between Native Hawaiian culture and the Catholic Church. This narrative will be incorporated into the USCCB’s Subcommittee on Native American Affairs Pastoral Plan.
“Hookumu ia ma luna o ka pohaku” (Mataio/Matthew 7:25)
“(The house) had been set solidly on rock.”
This year, the second Catholic Hawaiian Summit, held Jan. 29-30, brought together the iliili and the ala — youth, young adults and adults — to lay a foundation of the Hawaii host culture in the Diocese of Honolulu. These “living stones,” from Hilo, Kapolei, Wahiawa, Kalaepohaku, Kaneohe and Kekaha, committed to educational efforts aimed at raising awareness of and fluency in Hawaiian history, culture and language as a part of the pastoral outreach of the church.
Through dialogue and brainstorming, the participants set several ambitious goals.
Among their top proposals is the creation of a Catholic Hawaiian Council (CHC), which would spearhead initiatives and work to ensure mission focus and longevity, and the establishment of CHC working groups on each island.
The attendees’ goals regarding cultural practices in isle churches include the preservation of Hawaiian identity in worship through inculturation in the Roman liturgy, such as the creation of an expert mele and liturgy team to compile both print and digital resources for use in worship, along with implementation workshops; as well as publishing a Hawaiian/English prayer book with the bishop’s imprimatur.
Finally, the summit participants’ proposal seeks to identify parishes with significant Native Hawaiian populations and support both new and non-Hawaiian priests and deacons with educational opportunities to learn more about Hawaiian culture.
“Na ka Haku e kukulu i ka hale” (based on Halelu/Psalm 127:1)
“The Lord shall build the house”(“Unless the Lord build the house…”)
The second Catholic Hawaiian Summit set a comprehensive blueprint for the diocese to build upon the foundation of the host culture in order to deepen its connection with Native Hawaiians, build a stronger community and extend its outreach. Through these goals, the diocese is poised to construct a welcoming abode of unity and understanding that reflects the vibrant spirit of Hawaii’s Catholic community.
For more information, contact the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis at oyyam@rcchawaii.org.
