Fr Nikica Dusevic

Early life

Fr Nikica Dusevic was born in Ljubac, Croatia on August 3, 1934 to Marco and Ika Dusevic, the youngest of 12 children. At a fairly young age he believed he had a calling to serve God as a priest.

But his studies for the priesthood were interrupted by the political situation in Yugoslavia which had taken over Croatia. 
He decided to flee his homeland. So in 1957 at the age of 23, with his brother and sister-in-law, he escaped the Communist regime by crossing the Adriatic Sea in a tiny boat. When they arrived in Italy they were placed in a refugee camp where they remained for three years.

Immigration to Australia

During this time he somehow came to the attention of Archbishop Beovich who was in Rome at the time. He was invited to immigrate to Australia and continue his studies for the priesthood in Adelaide. Nikica agreed and arrived in Adelaide in 1960 and resumed his studies at St Francis Xavier’s Seminary.

Ordination and chaplaincy

He was ordained priest on June 29, 1963. He was appointed to the St Peters Parish where he served a predominantly Italian congregation for seven years. But throughout this time he also kept in contact with the rather large Croatian Community. At the time Fr Ivan Mihalic was the chaplain to the Croatian Community.

On May 11, 1970, Fr Nikica was appointed to take over the role of Chaplain to the Croatian Catholic Community, a position he held for nearly 26 years.

Contribution to the wider Croatian community

As well as being pastor to the Croatian community, he was instrumental in establishing the Croatian Ethnic School (of which he was headmaster for 25 years) as well as the Croatian Radio. He was also a foundation member of the Croatian Club. He was tireless in his efforts to provide a sense of belonging to the many Croatian migrants in Adelaide and other parts of SA. He used to visit Coober Pedy where there was a strong Croatian presence.

Return to Croatia and subsequent death

In 1966, at the age of 62, he retired from his Chaplain position in Adelaide and returned to his beloved Croatia where he continued his pastoral ministry in a small seaside village.

After a short illness he died on November 6, 2007 and his funeral in Ljubac was well attended. A Memorial Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Adelaide on Sunday November 11 when many of his former parishioners gathered to pay their respects to his fine life and generous service to the Croatian Community of South Australia.