Statement from Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP

Last year’s Voice referendum left many people asking, what next for indigenous affairs in Australia. 

The result was a reminder that there is still so much to be done to reduce the gaps in life opportunities and outcomes for indigenous Australians, and to ensure that they find their voice and place and can make their contributions to the life of the Church and that these are gratefully received. 

Over the coming months, the Catholic Weekly in collaboration with Aboriginal Catholic Ministry will profile some of our indigenous brothers and sisters and the work they do across the archdiocese. 

In this first article, we read about the wonderful Aunty Elsie. I hope that her story, and the ones to follow, will help us deepen our appreciation and respect for our Aboriginal Catholic community, and the contribution they make to the life of the Church in Sydney and beyond. 

I reaffirm the commitment of the Archdiocese of Sydney to walk with and listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and pray that by knowing each other better, we will be able to do this with greater awareness, respect, love, and joy.

—

Aunty Elsie Heiss is a strong Wiradjuri woman and a highly respected Aboriginal Elder. Aunty Elsie is a founding member of the Reconciliation Church at La Perouse and worked at the church  from 1998 until retiring in 2012. 

Selected to go to Rome by Cardinal Clancy at 61 years of age she was recognised for her contributions to the life of the Church and the community with Papal honours. In 2010 Aunty Elsie Heiss was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of Notre Dame, Sydney. The university established the Aunty …