about
About Us
NATSICC Vision Statement
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council promotes and celebrates the cultural identity of our peoples across the nation.
By Living and expressing in all its endeavours the spirituality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic peoples.
Through this expression and recognition of our cultural identity we will find our rightful place within the Catholic Church in Australia.
About Our Logo
The logo of the National and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council 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 of Geraldton in Western Australia.
Who makes up NATSICC?
NATSICC consists of one councillor from every State and Territory in Australia plus a Youth Portfolio Councillor. These Councillors are elected by their relevant Catholic Indigenous bodies and serve a three year period, at which time all positions are declared vacant and the new Council is reappointed.
NATSICC History
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Catholic Council (NATSICC) was formed in Cairns in January 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.
The members of the council stand down every three years and a new council is appointed. This occurred in October 2003 with 2006 being the next date for re election. NATSICC's funding comes in the form of Voluntary contributions from Schools, Parishes and Religious Orders. In addition, Caritas Australia provides ongoing funding.
Encouraged by Pope John Paul II’s words in the Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Oceania NATSICC is determined to continue, as the peak Indigenous Catholic representative body, to actively support and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the Catholic Church in Australia.
What does NATSICC do?
NATSICC acts as an avenue that helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait people to have a voice in the Catholic Church in Australia. Twice per year the council meets with the Bishops Committee for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to discuss concerns, suggestions and future projects. In addition, NATSICC is an advisory body to the aforementioned committee.
In addition, NATSICC sponsors Indigenous Youth to attend the World Youth Day. This group is the only wholly Indigenous group sent from Australia. It is very important to have Indigenous representation at this international event.
Every three years NATSICC holds a National Assembly that brings together Indigenous Catholics from all corners of Australia. Spirituality, culture and the way forward are among the things discussed at these gatherings. The previous event was held in Alice Springs in 2006 and attracted over 700 participants. The next Assembly will take place in Brisbane 20-25 September 2009
NATSICC provides the only Liturgy approved by the National Liturgical Commission for ABoriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday (first Sunday in July). These resources contain suggested prayers, songs and homily and are sent to every Parish in Australia. To download a copy of previous year's Liturgy, please click on 'resources' on the left.
A detailed list of NATSICC's Functions can be downloaded: Natsicc Mandate.pdf - 40kb.