MANDATE OF THE BISHOPS COMMISSION FOR MISSION AND FAITH
Preamble
“Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt 28:19)
“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life”. (Jn 3:16)
The purpose of being with Jesus is to go forth from Jesus, in his power and with his grace. Christ is now calling the Church to share in his mission with new energy and creativity. - Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Oceania n.3“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 Jn 4:16
) These words from the First Letter of John express with remarkable clarity the heart of the Christian faith: the Christian image of God and the resulting image of mankind and its destiny. In the same verse, St John also offers a kind of summary of the Christian life: “We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us”.
- Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est n.1
1. Membership and Meetings
1.1 The Commission shall comprise five (5) bishops as determined by the Conference by laws.
1.2 The Commission shall meet at least two (2) times each year at a time and place that the members determine. Use will be made of video or teleconference facilities when the agenda or circumstances warrants
2. Areas of Responsibility
The Commission promotes the life and mission of the Catholic Church in Australia in the following areas:
2.1 The National Office for Evangelisation that would include the Catholic Enquiry Centre
2.2 Adult Faith Formation
2.3 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
2.4 Social Communications
3. Particular Functions
In particular, the Commission performs the following functions:
3.1 The Commission guides and supports the activity of the Church and its agencies in the area:
3.1.1 The work of the Pontifical Mission Societies
3.1.2 Outreach to all those who have no faith, those who do not share the Catholic faith, those who are disconnected from the Church, and those who are actively involved in the Church.
3.2 The Commission, as approved or requested by the Conference, develops national policies in specific areas of its responsibility.
3.3 The Commission, in accordance with Conference policy, undertakes public and private advocacy in support of:
3.3.1 Positive social values in media policy
3.4 The Commission undertakes such specific projects as the Conference may from time to time approve or request.
3.5 The Commission delegates to individual bishops responsibility for the following areas:
3.5.1 Australian Catholic Office for Film and Broadcasting (ACOFB)
3.5.2 The Catholic Enquiry Centre
3.5.3 Pontifical Mission Societies
4. Advisory Role
The Commission advises the Bishops and the Conference on issues that arise in the areas of its responsibility and, where appropriate, makes recommendations for action that might be undertaken at a national level.
5. Advisory Bodies
The Commission advises the Bishops and the Conference on issues that arise in the areas of its responsibility and, where appropriate, makes recommendations for action that might be undertaken at a national level.
5.1 Catholic Media Advisory Council
5.2 Catholic Church Film and Broadcasting Advisory Council
6. Relations
6.1 The Commission maintains formal relations with:
6.1.1 Catholic Mission
6.1.2 Catholic Adult Faith Education Network
6.1.3 Australasian Catholic Press Association
6.1.4 Australian Catechumenate Network
6.1.5 Pontifical Council for Social Communications
6.1.6 Signis – the World Association for Catholic Communications
6.2 The Commission maintains informal relations with:
6.2.1 The Australian Religious Press Association
6.2.2 6.2.2 UCIP – International Catholic Press association
7. Offices
The Commission supervises the work of the following offices in accordance with the mandates detailed in Schedule 2.
7.1 The Catholic Enquiry Centre
7.2 Australian Catholic Office for Film and Broadcasting
8. Secretariat
The Secretariat for Mission and Faith Formation assists the Commission in fulfilling its tasks.
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