‘Committed to a faithful, prayerful and inclusive practice of synodality by collaborating with the faithful and the bishop, in order to further the mission of the Church in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.’
Nihil sine episcopo, nihil sine consilio vestro, et sine consensu plebis.
Cyprian of Carthage.
Nothing should be done in the local Church without the bishop, nothing should be done without the priests’ council and nothing should be done without the consensus of the people
What is the Council of Priests?
The Archbishop’s Council of Priests (APOC) is committed to a faithful, prayerful and inclusive practice of synodality by collaborating with the faithful and the bishop, in order to further the mission of the Church in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
Participation and co-responsibility of all the baptised for the life of the Church and its mission is at the heart of a Church that Pope Francis has described as synodal. His vision for the renewal of the synodal nature of the Church was expressed in his address on the fiftieth anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops:
“A synodal Church is a Church which listens, which realizes that listening “is more than simply hearing”. It is a mutual listening in which everyone has something to learn. The faithful people, the college of bishops, the Bishop of Rome: all listening to each other, and all listening to the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of truth” (Jn 14:17), in order to know what he “says to the Churches” (Rev 2:7).”
The first level of the exercise of synodality, according to Pope Francis, is the particular church, that is, the diocese.
“After mentioning the noble institution of the Diocesan Synod, in which priests and laity are called to cooperate with the bishop for the good of the whole ecclesial community, the Code of Canon Law devotes ample space to what are usually called “organs of communion” in the local Church: the presbyteral council, the college of consultors, chapters of canons and the pastoral council. Only to the extent that these organizations keep connected to the “base” and start from people and their daily problems, can a synodal Church begin to take shape: these means, even when they prove wearisome, must be valued as an opportunity for listening and sharing.”
The Council of priests finds its place as an organ of communion within the synodal church.
Contact Us
The Council of Priests is a consultative body and advises the Archbishop in relation to the pastoral life of the diocese.
Meetings
The Council of Priests meets at least four times each year. The business of this meeting can involve:
Assisting the Archbishop in determining Archdiocesan policies.
Matters relating to the pastoral life of the Archdiocese.
Matters of special relevance to the life of the priests.
The implication of Archdiocesan policies on the life and ministry of the priests.
Mission
Stirred by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Council of Priests is united in prayer, faith and trust.
Committed to synodality, co-responsibility and collaboration between the Archbishop and the priests, the Council of Priests faithfully represents the priests and is in turn accountable to them and their communities.
Seeking to discern the working of the Spirit, the Council of Priests listens openly to each member and to the voice of the whole Church across the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
Working alongside those who serve and minister in the Archdiocese and respecting their baptismal call to fruitful discipleship, the Council of Priests seek to respond together to the prophetic call of the Spirit within the life of the Church and in furthering the reign of God.