Governance Councils of the Archdiocese
The Archdiocese enjoys the expertise and assistance of the following Councils, Boards and Committees, appointed by the Archbishop.
The purpose of the Archdiocesan Council is to discern, advise and make recommendations to the Archbishop on policies and strategic priorities for Archdiocese of Brisbane, and the administration of recurrent, capital and special purpose funds administered by the Archdiocese of Brisbane.
The Archdiocesan Council operates on a shared wisdom model where members draw on their knowledge, interests, expertise and experience to discern appropriate advice. They do not act as representatives of any particular Archdiocesan constituency or Agency.
The Archdiocesan Council performs a range of functions, cognisant of the context of Catholic tradition, canon law, and local law and custom, including:
- participating in setting the vision and strategic direction for the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane;
- oversight of the stewardship of the temporal resources of the Archdiocese including through the annual budgeting and financial cycle, including advice on financial strategy development, forward financial planning, budget policies and parameters, and financial reporting frameworks;
- advising the Archbishop in accordance with canon law on matters relating:
- strategic planning
- financial management
- property matters
- risk management
- legal matters
- administration matters
- people and culture
- providing advice to the Archbishop on the provision of new services and restructuring in the Archdiocese; and
- appointing standing committees and working parties to advise and assist the Agencies of the Archdiocese. There are currently two standing committees:
- The Archdiocesan Audit and Risk Management Committee; and
- The Property and Building Committee.
The councils of governance (referred to as “Agency Councils”) in general exist at the discretion of the Archbishop with one exception being Centacare’s public benevolent institution status under taxation legislation which requires a constitution that includes a governing council. These Councils will make certain decisions of an administrative character as part of a series of delegated authorities as detailed in the Delegated Authorities as approved from time-to-time by the Archbishop.
These Agency Councils include:
Catholic Education Council
The Catholic Education Council, with members from many areas of education and the Catholic community, the Council prepares and updates policies and guidelines for implementation in all Catholic schools (currently 146) administered by the Archdiocese.
Archdiocesan Development Fund Board
The Archdiocesan Development Fund Board advises management of the Archdiocesan Development Fund (ADF) on major matters connected with the ADF’s brief to provide loans, financial services and income to support the Church’s evangelising mission, pastoral priorities and ministry programmes.
The Board monitors the activities of the Fund and sets the limits for the range of loans and services offered. The ADF currently has one sub-committee:
- Finance and Risk Committee.
Centacare Council
The Centacare Council is responsible for policy development and strategic planning for the delivery of Centacare services. The Council ensures compatibility between Centacare’s partnership with government and welfare agencies and the Church’s mission and directions. Centacare has two sub-committees:
- Centacare Administration Services Committee; and
- Centacare Practice Governance and Risk Committee.
Archdiocesan Ministries and Services Council
The Archdiocesan Ministries and Services Council sustains the Mission of the Archdiocesan Services Vicariate and ensures its integration in all Archdiocesan Services policies and makes recommendations to the Executive Director about other areas of possible integration.
The Council regularly reviews the Mission as part of its strategic planning process.
The Council considers, with the Executive Director, new areas of service that are consistent with the Archdiocesan Services’ Mission.
Archdiocesan Ministries and Services Council has one sub-committee;
- Investment Committee.
Terms on Archdiocesan Councils, Committees and Boards are generally for durations of 3 or 5 years but may vary at the Archbishops discretion.
Meetings are held either monthly or bi-monthly dependent upon the Council, Committee or Board requirements and are scheduled from either 8am, 9am or from 4pm.
The Purpose of the “Postestas Legislativa”
This piece of local legislation promulgated by the Archbishop is the canon law complement to the Delegations. For the roles which the Executive Directors, the members of the Archdiocesan Council and the members of the agency councils perform, these persons are appointed as co-administrators (in canon law) of the temporal goods of the Archdiocese. By the Archbishop appointing those persons as co-administrators, they can perform the roles the Delegations ascribed to them in conformity with canon law. The Archbishop’s intention with this legislation is “to share the responsibility of the administration of the ecclesiastical goods of the Archdiocese with persons (both clerical and lay) who have particular expertise and experience to apply in order to serve the common good of the Archdiocese.”
Potestas legislativa: A Particular Law for the Archdiocese of Brisbane (20 October 2022)
Are you ready to be heard?
Become a Council, Board or Committee member for the Archdiocese of Brisbane now!
The Archdiocese of Brisbane is always looking for with varying skillsets volunteers to fill vacancies and to provide guidance to assist the Archbishop in governance processes across the Archdiocese and its Agencies.
The Councils, Board and Committee of the Archdiocese range in scale and character, but are advisory bodies to the Archbishop and the Executive Directors of the Agencies of the Archdiocese.
The Archdiocese comprises diverse and inclusive communities and this should be reflected in our governing bodies. If you have the skills, experience and time register your interest to be considered for a position and make a difference.
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If you are interested in supporting the governance outcomes of the Archdiocese and its Agencies complete an expression of interest today.
Other councils and commissions
Within the Archdiocese the following councils, boards, committees and secretariats are appointed by the Archbishop to provide expert advice and assistance across a broad range of archdiocesan mission and ministry projects.
The Archdiocesan Commission on the Liturgy:
- Assists the Archbishop who is the moderator, promoter and custodian of the liturgical life of the archdiocese
- Reviews the liturgical life of the archdiocese and identifies areas of liturgical need
- Provides a reference group for and works with Liturgy Brisbane in its publishing and educational activities
The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission is appointed by the Archbishop to articulate and promote among Catholics and wider society the practical implications of the Gospel for living in today’s world.
The focus of the Commission’s work is right relationships with people and all of creation in the light of the way that Jesus lived. The Commission is guided by Catholic Social Teaching which identifies key Gospel-based principles necessary to achieve the common good. The Commission assists parish communities to understand and be proactive about justice, peace and ecology as an essential part of Christian life and mission. The Commission speaks officially on behalf of the Archdiocese on public justice and peace issues. Membership is clergy, religious and lay.
The Council for Ecumenism & Inter-religious (formerly Interfaith) Relations assists the Archbishop in making practical ecumenism an organic part of the life and work of the Archdiocese.
Among its activities are promoting relations with other Christian churches, providing opportunities for ecumenical prayer, promoting local dialogue with other religious traditions, and developing appropriate educational resources and programs. In recent years, in response to Vatican encouragement and directives, the Council has promoted Catholic understanding of and local dialogue with other religions, particularly Judaism, Buddhism and Islam.
The 13 Deans meet regularly with the Archbishop to discuss matters of significance for the life and mission of parishes and deaneries.
The Council is a group of priests who assist the Archbishop in the governance of the Archdiocese. The Council is guided by its own statutes as stipulated by Canon Law.
The Secretariat is a group of Catholics with pastoral council experience from parishes, deaneries and the broader Archdiocese who assist, support and network with pastoral councils around the Archdiocese.
The Secretariat assists with the organisation of annual events which provide formation, education, networking and support for pastoral councillors.