For more information on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council - including contact details, Secretariat location and more, access the drop-down menu by hovering your mouse over About NATSICC on the main menu above.

About the Council

What is NATSICC?

 

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) is the peak advisory body to the Australian Catholic Bishops on issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics. The council was founded in 1992 and the Secretariat is based in Adelaide.

 

Each State and Territory nominates a representative via their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministry. The council meets monthly via teleconference and twice yearly on a face to face basis. NATSICC advises the Bishops Commission for relations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics.

 

NATSICC is a not for profit organization that is funded by the Catholic Church and Caritas Australia's First Nations program.

 

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics

 

At the last census 13,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identified as  Catholics. It is the youngest and fastest growing demographic in the Australian Catholic Church today.

 

Every State and Territory has a local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Ministry that works on a local level.

 

Some of the programs/services they may provide include Sacramental training, material assistance, hospital and prison visits, Mass, healing programs, Welcome and Acknowledgments to Country and more.

The logo of NATSICC depicts a willy willy, the wind force as a symbol of God’s spirit in the centre. At the top are concentric circles as symbols of God and life while at the base are depictions of men and women receiving the Holy Spirit.

 

The logo was designed by

Olive Boddington from

Western Australia.