Catholic Church shuts down Aboriginal healing centre

by Millicent Caffrey

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney last month closed the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in Alexandria and the Aboriginal Healing House in Picton, ending the employment of two long-term workers.

Brenda McDonnell worked with the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in Alexandria for 11 years assisting in the welfare of the Aboriginal community. She says she was given no explanation for the termination of her employment.

“I honestly don’t know why this is happening,” Ms McDonnell said, describing her immense contribution to the Archdiocese. “I had to bring in $45 to $50,000 each year to maintain the house. It was a beautiful place for women, spiritual bonding and healing.”

Barbara Asplet worked for 25 years in the ministry and was co-ordinator of the Aboriginal Healing House in Picton, which provided programs for women suffering from trauma associated with the Stolen Generation and for victims of domestic violence, sexual, drug and alcohol abuse.

Supporters of Aboriginal rights stood in the rain on December 1, in front of the nativity scene at St Mary’s Cathedral, to protest the decision of the Catholic Church to close the Healing House and end the employment of these two women. They were blocked by security from entering the church, but a small crowd of visitors to the cathedral stopped to listen to their speeches.

Ms McDonnell described the Church’s actions as a “huge injustice” and said she it had made her lose her faith as a Catholic.

Director of Catholic Communications Katrina Lee said the Church’s decision was to reflect the changing needs of the community.

“We would like to introduce even more experienced professional people,” Ms Lee said.

Founding member of the Indigenous Social Justice Association Ray Jackson said the Church’s decision was “just another bastard act by Cardinal Pell.”

“I don’t know what another bastard act is.” Ms Lee said. “That is because I don’t know of any previous ones.”

In February of this year Cardinal Pell banned the Australian Reforming Catholics, a group partly focused on the spirituality and harmony of Aboriginal people, from using a Church in Rose Bay to hold their annual general meeting. Pell has also been criticised for stating in 2006 that the issue of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church was “obviously connected with the problem of homosexuality.”

According to the Archdiocese, the Healing House will be reopened in Sydney after Christmas. Mr Jackson, however, doubts this. “Once the Healing House gets sold, there is no trace on that money whatsoever. The Church can do what they like with it.”