MANDATE OF THE BISHOPS COMMISSION FOR PASTORAL LIFE
Preamble
“Tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it --not for sordid gain but eagerly.” (1 Peter 5:2).
1. Membership and Meetings
1.1 The Commission shall comprise six (6) 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 warrant.
2. Areas of Responsibility
The Commission promotes the life and mission of the Catholic Church in Australia in the following areas:
2.1 Family and Marriage support
2.2 Marriage preparation
2.3 Natural Family Planning Services
2.4 Pregnancy Support Services
2.5 Pro life initiatives; for example, pastoral responses to abortion
2.6 Support for migrants and refugees
2.7 Specialist chaplaincies (Prisons, Hospitals, Detention Centres, Seafarers)
2.8 Pastoral support for aged persons
2.9 People with disability
2.10 Youth
2.11 Groups that may be or are perceived to be marginalised in Church life.
3. Particular Functions
In particular, the Commission performs the following functions:
3.1 The Commission monitors the activity of the Church and its agencies in the following areas:
3.1.1 Natural Family Planning Programme including responsibility for funding arrangements with the Federal Government.
3.1.2 The Apostleship of the Sea
3.1.3 The Pastoral Care of Women (in conjunction with the Office for the Participation of Women)
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, and in co-operation with the Bishops Commission for Justice and Service, undertakes public and private advocacy in support of:
3.3.1 All who are marginalised or disadvantaged in Australian society or have special needs
3.3.2 Migrants and Refugees
3.3.3 People with Disabilities
3.4 The Commission undertakes such specific projects as the Conference may from time to time approve or request.
3.5 The Commission will designate a bishop to act as its delegate in the following areas:
3.5.1 Migrants and Refugees
3.5.2 Family Life
3.5.3 People with disabilities
3.5.4 Youth
3.5.5 Pro-life initiatives
3.5.6 Natural Family Planning
3.5.7 The Apostleship of the Sea
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 establishes, in accordance with the mandate(s) in Schedule 1, the following advisory body (bodies) to assist it in its responsibilities:
5.1 Australian Catholic Disability Council
5.2 Australian Catholic Life Council
5.3 Council for Australian Catholic Families
5.4 Council for Australian Catholic Women
5.5 Natural Family Planning Board
6. Relations
6.1 The Commission maintains formal relations with:
6.1.1 National Pastoral Planners Network
6.1.2 Diocesan Life Offices through the Abortion Task Force
6.1.3 Diocesan Marriage and Family Offices
6.1.4 Catholic Society for Marriage Education
6.2 The Commission maintains informal relations with:
6.2.1 Various pro-life groups as the Bishops Commission considers opportune
7. Offices
The Commission supervises the work of the following offices in accordance with the mandates detailed in Schedule 2.
7.1 Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office
7.2 The Natural Family Planning Program
8. Secretariat
The Secretariat for Pastoral Life assists the Commission in fulfilling its tasks.
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