Reconciliation in Australia

A Voice to Parliament: Responding to the Uluru Statement From the Heart

Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) supports constitutional recognition of First Nations Peoples through a Voice To Parliament as articulated by the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The invitation of this Statement, and the upcoming constitutional referendum, is to embrace the calls of our First Nations Peoples for a just future, a means of recognition and a way forward for healing and learning together. CSSV also recognises a Voice to Parliament as a step – with truth telling and treaty also being vitally important in the broader work of reconciliation. We have an opportunity to make meaningful reparation for the past and to build a better future – in this moment, it is the offer of a constitutional referendum to decide upon a Voice to the Australian Parliament. In 1986 Pope John Paul ll addressed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples pronouncing “Certainly, what has been done cannot be undone. But what can now be done to remedy the deeds of yesterday must not be put off till tomorrow.” Let’s not wait another moment. See below for more information about the Voice and how to be involved.

CSSV has released a statement on it’s position on the Voice to Parliament – Relentlessly Pursuing Reconciliation. This statement can be downloaded below.

Download PDF – Relentlessly Pursuing Reconciliation

‘A Letter to My Grandchildren’ – Vicki Clark, OAM

Vicki Clark OAM is a CSSV Life Member. She shared a letter to her grandchildren at a joint Garratt Publishing and Opening The Doors Foundation event on the upcoming referendum. Vicki’s letter is addressed to her grandchildren to be read in 2040 reflecting on the significance of the referendum’s outcomes and her hopes for the future.

Voice to Parliament Resources

The following are some useful resources in learning more about a Voice to Parliament:

Catholic perspectives on reconciliation and a Voice to Parliament:

CSSV’s Reconciliation Vision

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 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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People have suffered personal harm, cultural dislocation and dispossession since colonisation.

This past has resulted in First Nations Peoples 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

Download CSSV’s Reconciliation Vision

CSSV Articles

As referendum approaches, webinar encourages ‘One Journey, Together’
Sep 26th, 2023

With less than a month to go before Australians vote in a national referendum to decide whether to enshrine a First Nations Voice in the constitution, people on both sides of the debate are being encouraged to engage in respectful and informed dialogue. At a recent online webinar hosted by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Council (NATSICC) and featuring speakers from a number of leading Catholic organisations, participants were also called to make their decision in light of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

Social Justice Sunday – 27 August 2023
Aug 22nd, 2023

This Social Justice Sunday (27 August 2023) we encourage you to reflect on the place of First Nations Peoples, new ways we can engage and walk together, and the importance of the upcoming referendum and the outcomes that will lead to better consultation, improved policies and services, and stronger communities.

CSSV Services Providers that assist our work with First Nations people

Aboriginal Education

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry

Aims to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait 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.

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