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Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

The Second Vatican Council, in 'Christus Dominus', noted that it is almost impossible, nowadays especially, for bishops to exercise their office suitably and fruitfully unless they establish closer understanding and cooperation with other bishops; and that outstanding examples of a more fruitful apostolate had been produced in countries where Conferences were already established. In 1966, Pope Paul VI’s Apostolic Letter 'Ecclesiae Sanctae' gave directions for the implementation of several Vatican II documents, including this teaching on Conferences.

The 1983 Code of Canon Law, drawing on 'Christus Dominus', defines Conferences in this way: The Bishops Conference, a permanent institution, is the assembly of the bishops of a country or a particular territory, exercising together certain pastoral offices for Christ’s faithful of their territory. By forms and means of the apostolate suited to the circumstances of the time and place, it is to promote, in accordance with the law, that greater good which the Church offers to humankind (Can. 447; cf. Christus Dominus 38).

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference meets at least annually. The Statutes were first approved by the Holy See on 21 June 1976, and definitively on 10 March 1979, and revised on 28 June 2001. (Promulgated Australasian Catholic Record October 2001)

The Conference has a President and a Vice-President (each elected for two years), a Permanent Committee, various Bishops Commissions (each member is elected for three years) and a General Secretariat.

President:	Most Rev Philip E Wilson, Archbishop of Adelaide
Vice-President:	Most Rev Barry J Hickey, Archbishop of Perth
General Secretary:	Rev Brian J Lucas

General Secretariat

The Bishops' Conference is not only the biannual plenary meeting of the bishops. To ensure that the Conference, as a permanent institution, continues to operate between plenary meetings, it also comprises the Permanent Committee, bishops' commissions and the General Secretariat.

The General Secretariat has overall responsibility for recording, communicating and carrying out the policies and decisions of the Conference. With the bishops' commissions, the General Secretariat assists the Conference in the preparation of these policies by arranging for the provision of expert advice.

The General Secretariat has continuing tasks of liaison with the Apostolic See, the Commonwealth Government and other national bodies. It is responsible for encouraging and coordinating cooperation between bishops' commissions and fostering relations between bishops' conferences of other nations.

Contact:	Rev Brian J Lucas, General Secretary
P	GPO Box 368 CANBERRA ACT 2601
T	(02) 6201 9845
F	(02) 6247 6083
E	gensec@catholic.org.au

Three specialist areas within the General Secretariat contribute to its work in particular ways:
Business Manager, Communications Office and Research Directorate.

Business Manager

In addition to looking after the internal financial and property management of the General Secretariat and bishops' commissions, the Business Manager works with the Bishops Commission for Administration and Information in its task of financial supervision for the Conference and its organisations. This includes organising financial and legal advice, managing investments and framing the Conference budget. The Business Manager assists in the General Secretariat's work of liaison with outside organisations and coordination of bishops commissions.

Contact:	Mr Glenn L Mowbray, Business Manager
P	GPO Box 368 CANBERRA ACT 2601
T	(02) 6201 9855
F	(02) 6247 6083
E	busman@catholic.org.au

Communications Office

The office is responsible for ensuring that the General Secretariat can communicate the activities and statements of the Conference to all people, whether members of the Church or not. This is done by organising publications, liaison with religious and secular media and, increasingly, by using the Internet. The site you are reading is maintained by the Communications Office. The office arranges for and provides advice for the General Secretary and bishops' commissions of Conference on media initiatives.

Contact:	Mrs Debra A Vermeer, Communications Officer
P	GPO Box 368 CANBERRA ACT 2601
T	(02) 6201 9859
F	(02) 6247 6083
E	media@catholic.org.au

Research Directorate

The Research Directorate arranges for and provides advice on a range of contemporary issues, especially legal-political and bioethical. It coordinates the contributions of consultants to the Conference and produces submissions for government and other national bodies. The Research Director assists in the General Secretariat's work of liaison with outside organisations and coordination of commissions.

Contact:	Mr Peter W McArdle, Research Director
P	GPO Box 368 CANBERRA ACT 2601
T	(02) 6201 9863
F	(02) 6247 6083
E	study@catholic.org.au