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Aboriginal Catholic Ministry

Thursday 5 July 2007
Statement from the Catholic Bishops of Australia on dignity & justice for Indigenous Australians

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle fosters the spiritual, cultural and social development of indigenous Australians. Aboriginal Catholic Ministry strives to:
• assist the Aboriginal community to share their faith and to care for one another
• create an awareness, understanding and respect of Aboriginal perspectives within the Catholic community
• create an awareness among indigenous and non-indigenous Australians that Aboriginal people are a significant part of the body of Christ in this land
• encourage indigenous Australians to participate actively in decision-making in the Catholic community.

 
 
Symbolism of the Aboriginal Flag - The Aboriginal Flag was first designed by Harold Joseph Thomas, an Aboriginal man in 1971. Black represents the Aboriginal people - past, present and future. Yellow represents the sun - giver of life. Red represents the earth - red ochre and our spiritual relationship with the land.

Indigenous peoples and the Catholic Church in Australia. In 1997, the Catholic Church officially designated the first Sunday in July as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday. The aim of this day is to encourage Catholics locally to focus their worship on Aboriginal and Torres Islander people and their culture and the issues of social justice they represent.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) was formed in 1989 at the first national conference of the Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Councils. In 1992 the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference officially recognised and welcomed it as the national representative and consultative body to the Church on issues concerning Indigenous Catholics. Its members are elected by their local communities at State and Territory level. It is a truly representative voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics. Every year, NATSICC produces a Resource Kit for Parishes and Schools to use for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday. Find out more at the NATSICC website.

What is NAIDOC Week? NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) celebrations are held annually around Australia in the first week of July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The week is celebrated not just in the Indigenous community, but also in increasing numbers of government agencies, schools, local councils and workplaces. NAIDOC week traces its history back to 1924 when the Australian Aborigines Progressive Association was formed to take up the long struggle for indigenous rights in Australian society. In 1938 a special day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was first observed. From there, NAIDOC evolved into its current week-long celebrations. In 2006, NAIDOC Week celebrations are from July 2 to 9. The theme this year is Respect the Past - Believe in the Future. Find out more from the NAIDOC website.

National Reconciliation Week in 2006 is between 26 May and 3 June.
May 26 marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and June 3 marks the anniversary of the High Court's judgement in the Mabo case in 1992. National Sorry Day, now officially known as a National Day of Healing, is held annually on May 26. On this day in 1997, a report tabled in Federal Parliament shook Australia. Bringing them home detailed painful evidence of the removal of thousands of Indigenous children from their families. It recommended that each year a 'Sorry Day be held'. In 2005 the name of this annual 'day' was changed to a National Day of Healing. Find out more about the Reconciliation Australia website.

What is ANTaR? Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) is an independent, national network of mainly non-Indigenous organisations and individuals working in support of justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. ANTaR coordinates a major community education and awareness campaign on native title and reconciliation. Find out more at the ANTaR website.

Contact Us
To find out more about Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle contact:
Louise Campbell (Secretary)
Ph: (02) 4979 1222
Email: louise.campbell@mn.catholic.edu.au




 

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