If we want to build a more just Australian society, we must acknowledge
the unique place of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in
our community. In recent years the Australian community has developed a
deeper understanding of our shared history, but the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people remain over represented among the most economically
poor and socially excluded people in Australia.
“I have a strong sense that it is time to reinvigorate – find
our commitment, our energy and continue to build the bridges between
black and white. We need to not only bridge the gaps of understanding;
we need
to bridge the gap in life opportunities. I would like to see a time
when there is no difference in the statistics that represent Indigenous
and
non-Indigenous social determinants.”
Tom Calma
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner at
the launch of The Heart of Our Country: Dignity & Justice for our Indigenous
Sisters & Brothers, the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social
Justice Sunday Statement for 2006
Catholic Social Teaching
AUSTRALIAN TEACHINGS
National Apology to the Stolen Generations an Historic and Hope-Filled
Moment for Australia
In this message the President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
welcomes the apology made in the Federal Parliament on 13 February 2008.
The
Catholic Church Says Sorry
This message from Ballarat Bishop Peter Connors and senior officials of the
Diocese conveys the Diocese’s apology to the Stolen Generations for its part
in the removal policies through the operations of missions, orphanages, and
children’s homes.
Statement from the Australian Bishops on Dignity & Justice for Indigenous Australians
The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference expresses concern about the Federal Government’s intervention in the Northern Territory and warns against racially discriminatory approaches to addressing child sexual abuse in remote Indigenous communities.
Pastoral Letter on the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum
Archbishop Wilson, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, sees the referendum as a turning point in Australian history, but says much remains to be done.
Heart of Our Country, the Social Justice Sunday Statement 2006 In this year’s
Social Justice Sunday statement, the Australian Bishops reflect on the
twentieth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s address to Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people at Alice Springs. They remind the whole community
of
the continuing need to act for the dignity and rights of Indigenous Australians.
Click here for the full statement
Click here for a PowerPoint Presentation on the statement
Bishops Seek Forgiveness from Stolen Generations on National Sorry Day
On 26 May 1998 the Australian Bishops apologized for any part played by the Church in the removal of Indigenous children from their families and committed to working to heal past injustices and promote reconciliation.
Reconciliation: A Statement in Solidarity
The Australian Bishops Committee for Aborigines issued this media release in 1997 calling on Australian governments to apologise for the removal of Indigenous children from their families, and to work for truth and reconciliation.
Bishops Oppose Extinguishment of Native Title
In this statement Bishop Manning, then Chair of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, says that it would be “wrong and futile” to try to obtain security concerning land titles “by forcibly extinguishing native title to lands”.
Bishops Say Native Title Holders Underrepresented in Proposed Amendments to the Native Title Act
In this December 1996 statement the Australian Bishops said that the proposed amendments to the Native Title Act were biased in favour of the interests of industry rather than native title holders
INTERNTIONAL TEACHINGS
Intervention by the Holy See at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
In this May 2007 address, Archbishop Migliore, the Permanent Observer to the United Nations of the Holy See, expresses regret that the draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was not adopted.
Message of Pope Benedict XVI for the 20th Anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s Alice Springs Address to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Pope Benedict XVI sent this message to a gathering of Indigenous Catholics at Alice Springs which was held to mark the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s historic address to them there.
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Addresses Children and Youth
In this 2003 intervention, the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations speaks about the rights of indigenous children.
Address to the Native Americans
This address by Pope John Paul II was given at a gathering in Phoenix in 1987.
John Paul II’s Alice Springs Address to the Aboriginal & Torres
Strait Islander Peoples
During his 1986 visit to Australia, Pope John Paul II gave a landmark address to the Aboriginal people. Click here to view the full text of the Pope’s address.
Radio and television message to the Native Peoples of Canada
Pope John Paul II delivered this Message to the Native Peoples of Canada at Yellow Knife Airport in September 1984.
Address to the Indians of North America
Pope John Paul II addressed North American Indians at the beatification of Kateri Tekakwitha in Rome in 1980.
Stories & Reflections
Religious Call Government to Support Indigenous Declaration Mark Raper SJ, President of Catholic Religious Australia, has called on the Federal Government to reverse Australia’s opposition to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner responds to
the Apology Tom Calma’s response to the Parliament’s apology to
the Stolen Generations is available in audio and text.
The Apology in Pictures This photo essay provides an insight into
the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission’s
experience of attending the parliamentary session in which an apology was
made to the Stolen Generations.
Historic Apology Celebrated by the NCCA The National Council of
Churches in Australia welcomed the apology to the Stolen Generations.
Indigenous Christians Respond to the Federal Intervention in the Northern Territory
This statement from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission provides an Indigenous Christian perspective on responses to child sexual abuse in remote Indigenous communities.
Suffer the Little Children Pat Mullins SJ, the Australian Jesuits’ Coordinator of Ministry Among Indigenous Peoples, reflects on the Federal Government’s response to the Little Children Are Sacred report on the sexual abuse of Indigenous children in the Northern Territory.
Partners, Not Spectators! Catholic Religious Australia, the peak body for Catholic nuns, brothers and priests, reflects on the Federal Government’s intervention in Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.
Jesuits
Acknowledge the Wirrundjerri In a ceremony involving Aboriginal elders, the Jesuit Theological College erected a plaque acknowledging the Wirrundjerri people, on whose land the college stands.
NATSIEC Reflects on Referendum Anniversary "As I reflect on the last 40 years it is evident people do not care, like in the past, about their fellow Australians who are left on the dung heap of society," said Mr Graeme Mundine, Executive Secretary of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission.
Religious Honour Indigenous Australia
Catholic Religious Australia marked the 40th anniversary of the 1967 referendum with a statement. Spokesperson Tim Brennan said: “These last Forty years are not just about statistics; they are faces, friends, and family stories”.
Prayer & Liturgy
A
Prayer for the Journey of Healing from the National Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission
A
Reconciliation liturgy from the National Aboriginal & Torres
Strait Islander Catholic Council
Prayer
Sheets on Indigenous Poverty & the MDGs
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Sunday 2007 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday will be celebrated on 1 July. Introducing the liturgy materials prepared for this occasion, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council Chair, Elsie Heiss said, “This is a time to celebrate together and to keep reconciliation alive”.
Tools for Action
Sorry Day Resource Sheets
These action resource sheets are intended to assist in the commemoration of Sorry Day on 26 May. Click on the titles below to download the resources:
Sorry Day 2008 overview
Getting in Touch with Experience
Understanding Structures of Sin
Stolen Generations Track Home
Giving the Apology Flesh & Bones
Make Indigenous
Poverty History Campaign The National Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Ecumenical Council has initiated this campaign and keeps
the site up to date with information and resources for action. Through this
site
Indigenous Christians invite the whole community into solidarity action.
Sorry Day & Reconciliation
Week 2007 A kit of resources for National Sorry Day and
National Reconciliation Week, prepared by the Brisbane Archdiocesan Murri
Ministry Team, Brisbane Catholic
Education and the Brisbane Justice and Peace Commission, will be available
on their website www.uq.net.au/cjpc .
For teaching and learning resources on the 40th anniversary of the 1967
referendum, visit Ozspirit at www.ozspirit.com/2007/161b.html
Background Information
Court Backs Yolngu Rights
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, welcomed the decision by the High Court of Australia to recognize the Yolngu people’s exclusive possession rights over the intertidal zone along 80 percent of the Northern Territory coastline. Click here for more.
Calma’s Ten Point Plan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma has issued his Social Justice Report for 2007. It includes a rights analysis of the Federal intervention in the Northern Territory and a ten point plan to bring it into line with Australia’s international human rights obligations.
Federal Parliament’s Apology to the Stolen
Generations The text of the Federal Parliament’s formal apology
to the Stolen Generations on 13 February 2008.
Little Children are Sacred
This report by Rex Wild and Patricia Anderson provides recommendations on addressing child sexual abuse in remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. It was written after extensive consultation with the communities and draws on previous studies.
Community Guides to the 2006 Social Justice & Native Title Reports The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission tables two reports to Parliament each year. One focuses on social justice for Indigenous Australians and the other on the operation of the Native Title Act. MP3 recordings of the launch speeches are available on www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/index.html
Organisations
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner of the
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation
Reconciliation Australia
Jesuits & Indigenous
Ministry
