The Council and Members of Catholic Social Services Victoria acknowledge and celebrate that our engagement throughout Victoria takes place on the sacred land and waterways of the many cultural groups of the Aboriginal Peoples of Victoria. For over tens of thousands of years these lands and waterways have been cared for under cultural lore and customs.
Australia’s First Peoples have never ceded sovereignty and are the first sovereign Nations of the Australian continent. We acknowledge that the Aboriginal People have suffered personal harm, cultural dislocation and dispossession since colonisation.
This past has resulted in Aboriginal People becoming one of the most disadvantaged peoples within our society and we are committed to action to close this gap.
Righting the wrongs of dispossession requires a commitment to truth telling about the past so justice, equity and reconciliation can be experienced by all peoples of Victoria.
We commit ourselves to listen and walk with the First Peoples in the true spirit of Makarrata: coming together after this long painful struggle for recognition, true justice and full flourishing for all Australians.
…the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others. Pope St John Paul II, Alice Springs 29 November 1986 Adopted by Council at Catholic Social Services Victoria, October 2018
Pope St John Paul II, Alice Springs 29 November 1986
Adopted by Council at Catholic Social Services, October 2018
Reconciliation Conversation
The online Reconciliation Conversation hosted by CSSV on Friday 5 August elicited much thought and discussion about the progress of reconciliation in Australia, with special guests Fr Frank Brennan and Vicki Clark providing powerful insights.
Multifaith Advisory Group (MAG) Dinner – ‘Connecting with Country, Reconnecting with Ourselves’
CSSV is a member group of MAG, part of the Victorian Multicultural Commission. It recently held a wonderful dinner in preparation for NAIDOC Week entitled ‘Connecting with Country, Reconnecting with Ourselves’ on July 13, 2022 at Melbourne Town Hall. CSSV Senior Policy Advisor Gordon Preece filled in for Executive Director Josh Lourensz. Bishop Philip Huggins as MC set the scene sharing a series of questions and observations.
CSSV Services Providers that assist our work with First Nations people
Aboriginal Education
Aboriginal Catholic Ministry
Aims to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Straight peoples have their rightful place in the Church and wider community and works for reconciliation in partnership with those who believe there can be an alternative to the present order.
- 434 St Georges Road, Thornbury VIC 3071
- (03) 9401 6380
- www.cam1.org.au/acmv
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