A BRISBANE Catholic indigenous leader has described the Black Lives Matter rallies as “a wonderful experience of humanity”. Cynthia Rowan was among the crowd of up to 30,000 that packed inner city Brisbane on June 6, to protest police brutality against Indigenous Australians and call for justice for those who have died in custody. “We call ourselves Australian and we ... Read More »
MOUNT Isa parish priest Fr Mick Lowcock is a Queensland Great. But most people already knew that. For some it was because of his ministry achievements like accompanying young people to World Youth Day, for others it was his social work supporting employment opportunities in Indigenous communities, and for everyone else it was just how far he travelled to bring ... Read More »
NATIONAL Reconciliation Week goes to the heart of what God calls Australia to be, Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge said at the 8am livestreamed Mass from St Stephen’s Cathedral on May 26. Archbishop Coleridge prayed on National Sorry Day – the eve of National Reconciliation Week – for the Indigenous peoples of Australia and entrusted them to the mercy and justice ... Read More »
ABORIGINAL educator Cynthia Rowan has taken on the important task of raising Indigenous awareness and introducing a reconciliation action plan (RAP) into the Archdiocese of Brisbane. “The concept of reconciliation is to build a respectful relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader Australian community – in this case the Catholic community,” 68-year-old Ms Rowan, a parishioner ... Read More »
FREE speech in Australia is increasingly under threat with public-servant whistleblowers and journalists unfairly targeted by the government under the guise of national security, according to an annual report released by Human Rights Watch. Refugee rights, Indigenous rights and aged care are among other issues raising concerns in the 30th edition of The World Report, released on January 14. In ... Read More »
FRIENDS and colleagues remember Indigenous elder and activist Sam Watson as down to earth, courageous and deeply committed to his people. “I can’t remember a time when Sam Watson wasn’t in the public eye – all my life,” Catholic social justice advocate Peter Arndt said. “I cannot remember a time when he wasn’t there at the forefront speaking up for ... Read More »
IT was the end of 12 years of schooling, and Brisbane’s Catholic school Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students were farewelled at a graduation liturgy at St Stephen’s Cathedral on October 11. Vashti Borthwick-Beetson, from St Columban’s College, Caboolture, offered a heartfelt student reflection on behalf of all graduates at the liturgy. She thanked everyone who had helped them achieve ... Read More »
THE future for Indigenous Australians is full of hope, agreed the panellists at the 7th Annual Australian Catholic University Solidarity Dinner at Brisbane’s Hilton Hotel on July 31. Panellists Cape York Land Council chair Richie Ah Mat, Indigenous Corporations registrar Selwyn Button, ACU Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Craven, 2016 Churchill Fellow Dr Doseena Fergie and Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge shed light ... Read More »
HOW’S this for a job description – “My job is to get out of the way, and let God do His work”? That’s what it boils down to for Toni Janke in her role as Indigenous Services co-ordinator within Centacare Family and Relationship Services’ Brisbane Metropolitan Region. Day to day she’s supporting people in crisis, sometimes facing the toughest time ... Read More »
The Catholic Leader Keeping Faith with You
