National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council
Consisting of 11 Dioceses - Archdiocese of Sydney, Armidale, Bathurst, Broken Bay, Lismore, Maitland Newcastle, Parramatta, Wagga Wagga, Wilcannia - Forbes and Wollongong -New South Wales is home to over 50,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics. According to the most recent census, a quarter of all Indigenous people in New South Wales identify as Catholic.
For a summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Statistics drawn from the 2016 Census (Inlcuding stats for each NSW Diocese), please click here.
NSW is the home to the highest number of Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Ministries (ACM's) in Australia.
From the city to the country, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics are bringing their gifts to the Catholic Church in NSW. The Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Council is the head body in NSW and its membership consists of representatives from each of the 7 ACM's.
NATSICC Councillor for New South Wales
Doreen Flanders is a proud Aboriginal woman born and raised at Bowraville - part of the Gumbaynggirr Nation. Doreen is the Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Lismore’s Aboriginal Education Advisor, a role she has held for 22 years. The role involves addressing Indigenous education and issues effecting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students in mainstream classrooms.
Doreen has vast experience in developing theology studies for students and incorporating spirituality into the classroom.
Ministries
Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Ministry - Sydney
Website | lisa.buxton@sydneycatholic.org
The Reconciliation Church and office are situated at Phillip Bay (near La Perouse), at 11 Yarra Road. We do not have a permanent priest attached to this church, however we have a visiting priest each month.
The Church and an office operate three days a week, Monday to Wednesday and besides its role of pastoral care to the local Catholics, we work to involve Aboriginal Catholics in the wider community, national and international events.
Maitland Newcastle
Website | Louise Campbell (02) 4979 1222
Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle fosters the spiritual, cultural and social development of Aboriginal 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.
Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation
Website | admin@baabayn.org.au | Margaret Farrell: 0421178684
Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation was founded by five Aboriginal elders from Western Sydney. Their purpose is to connect with individuals and families in a welcoming environment, providing them supports and links to services that help them heal from the past and nurture their sense of confidence and pride in the future. The group has strong knowledge of the community and has built contacts within and outside the community.
Lismore Aboriginal Catholic Ministry
Website | dflanders@lism.catholic.edu.au | stevejmorelli@yahoo.com.au |
(02) 6681 1048
In dialogue and partnership with the Aboriginal people, the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in the Diocese of Lismore is part of a national response of the Church to work with Aboriginal people in building up an authentic Goori mission and ministry.
Mission Statement:
“To enter more deeply into dialogue with the Goori people, the wider Church and each other to serve the building up of an authentic Goori Catholic mission and ministry”.
Upcoming Events
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National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council
'The peak Indigenous advisory body to the Catholic Church'
80C Payneham Rd.
Stepney SA 5069
www.natsicc.org.au | craig@natsicc.org.au | 08 8363 2963
