Archbishop's Council of Priests

Credit: Raimond Klavins, Unsplash

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.

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.

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.

Nihil sine episcopo, nihil sine consilio vestro, et sine consensu plebis.

Cyprian of Carthage

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.

The Archbishop’s Council of Priests (ACOP), constituted in accordance with the norms of the Code of Canon Law
(cf. cann. 495–502), serves as a consultative body to the Archbishop.

Comprising clergy elected and appointed from across the Archdiocese, the Council represents the presbyterate and
expresses its shared responsibility in supporting the Archbishop in the exercise of his pastoral governance.

The Council meets regularly to consider matters pertaining to the pastoral welfare, mission, and administration of the Archdiocese.
It provides a structured forum for reflection, consultation and the offering of advice on pastoral priorities and strategic initiatives.

In fulfilling its role, the Council contributes to the effective governance and ongoing development of the local Church,
ensuring that the experience, insight, and voice of the clergy are duly considered in the Archbishop’s decision-making.

What is the Archbishop’s Council of Priests?

The Archbishop’s Council of Priests (ACOP), constituted in accordance with the norms of the Code of Canon Law (cf. cann. 495–502), serves as a consultative body to the Archbishop.

Comprising clergy elected and appointed from across the Archdiocese, the Council represents the presbyterate and expresses its shared responsibility in supporting the Archbishop in the exercise of his pastoral governance.

The Council meets regularly to consider matters pertaining to the pastoral welfare, mission, and administration of the Archdiocese.
It provides a structured forum for reflection, consultation and the offering of advice on pastoral priorities
and strategic initiatives.

In fulfilling its role, the Council contributes to the effective governance and ongoing development of the local Church, ensuring that the experience, insight, and voice of the clergy are duly considered in the Archbishop’s decision-making.

Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Archbishop’s Council of Priests
assists the Archbishop in his pastoral office through the exercise of communion, participation, and mission
As an expression of synodality, the Council fosters unity within the presbyterate and promotes co-responsibility in the life and mission of the Church. It provides a forum for respectful dialogue, attentive listening, and communal discernment.
Attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Council listens to its members and to the wider People of God, discerning the needs of the Archdiocese and offering considered and prayerful counsel to the Archbishop.
In collaboration with all the baptised, the Council seeks to advance a missionary and outward-looking Church, promoting participation, inclusion and the growth of authentic discipleship.

Mission

Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Archbishop’s Council of Priests
assists the Archbishop in his pastoral office through the exercise of communion, participation, and mission
As an expression of synodality, the Council fosters unity within the presbyterate and promotes co-responsibility in the life and mission of the Church. It provides a forum for respectful dialogue, attentive listening, and communal discernment.
Attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Council listens to its members and to the wider People of God, discerning the needs of the Archdiocese and offering considered and prayerful counsel to the Archbishop.
In collaboration with all the baptised, the Council seeks to advance a missionary and outward-looking Church, promoting participation, inclusion and the growth of authentic discipleship.

Meetings

Credit: Michael Fousert, Unsplash

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 clergy members
The implication of Archdiocesan policies on the life and ministry of the clergy.

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 clergy members
The implication of Archdiocesan policies on the life and ministry of the clergy.

Council members

Most Rev Peter A Comensoli

President of the Council

Very Rev Anthony Kerin JCL

Elected members

Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia

Eastern Region

Very Rev Fr John Salvano, PP

Elected members

Balwyn North, East Kew and Greythorn Parishes

Eastern Region

Rev Fr Nicholas Dillon PP

Very Rev Fr John Salvano, PP

Balwyn North, East Kew and Greythorn Parishes

Blackburn North Parish

Western Region

Rev Fr Nicholas Dillon PP

Rev Fr Binh Le, PP (Secretary‍)

Holy Trinity Catholic Parish - Laverton, Altona Meadows and Point Cook

Blackburn North Parish

Rev Fr Gerard Keith, PP

Western Region

Kings Park Parish

Holy Trinity Catholic Parish -
Laverton, Altona Meadows and Point Cook

Migrant Chaplain

Rev Fr Binh Le, PP (Secretary‍)

Rev Fr Vedran Lesic

Rev Fr Gerard Keith, PP

Kings Park Parish

Croatian Communities - Braeside, Bell Park

Mgr Franco Cavarra

Southern Region

Retired

Rev Fr Dean Mathieson, PP OFMCap (Chair)‍

Toorak and Armadale Parishes

Rev Fr Jerald Mariadas, PP

Rev Fr Patrick Bradford

Scoresby Parish

Mount Eliza Parish

Very Rev Anthony Kerin JCL

Northern Region

Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia

Rev Fr Anh Nguyen, PP

Epping Parish

Southern Region

Rev Fr Dishan Candappa, PP

Rev Fr Patrick Bradford

Gladstone Park Parish

Mount Eliza Parish

Rev Fr Dean Mathieson, PP OFMCap (Chair)‍

Migrant Chaplain

Toorak and Armadale Parishes

Rev Fr Vedran Lesic

Croatian Communities - Braeside, Bell Park

Northern Region

Rev Fr Dishan Candappa, PP

Gladstone Park Parish

Archbishop’s nominees

Rev Fr Anh Nguyen, PP

Epping Parish

Mgr Franco Cavarra

Retired

Archbishop’s nominees

Mgr Stuart Hall

Dean of St Patrick Cathedral

Rev Fr Daryl Montecillo, PP

Rev Fr Jerald Mariadas, PP

Corpus Christi Seminary Staff

Scoresby Parish

Rev Fr Luciano Toldo, PP

Rev Fr Daryl Montecillo, PP

Lalor Parish

Corpus Christi Seminary Staff

Rev Fr Luciano Toldo, PP

Lalor Parish

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.

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.

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.

Nihil sine episcopo, nihil sine consilio vestro, et sine consensu plebis.

Nihil sine episcopo, nihil sine consilio vestro, et sine consensu plebis.

The Archbishop’s Council of Priests (ACOP), constituted in accordance with the norms of the Code of Canon Law (cf. cann. 495–502), serves as a consultative body to the Archbishop.

Comprising clergy elected and appointed from across the Archdiocese, the Council represents the presbyterate and expresses its shared responsibility in supporting the Archbishop in the exercise of his pastoral governance.

The Council meets regularly to consider matters pertaining to the pastoral welfare, mission, and administration of the Archdiocese. It provides a structured forum for reflection, consultation and the offering of advice on pastoral priorities and strategic initiatives.

In fulfilling its role, the Council contributes to the effective governance and ongoing development of the local Church, ensuring that the experience, insight, and voice of the clergy are duly considered in the Archbishop’s decision-making.

What is the Archbishop’s Council of Priests?

What is the Archbishop’s Council of Priests?

The Archbishop’s Council of Priests (ACOP), constituted in accordance with the norms of the Code of Canon Law (cf. cann. 495–502), serves as a consultative body to the Archbishop.

Comprising clergy elected and appointed from across the Archdiocese, the Council represents the presbyterate and expresses its shared responsibility in supporting the Archbishop in the exercise of his pastoral governance.

The Council meets regularly to consider matters pertaining to the pastoral welfare, mission, and administration of the Archdiocese. It provides a structured forum for reflection, consultation and the offering of advice on pastoral priorities and strategic initiatives.

In fulfilling its role, the Council contributes to the effective governance and ongoing development of the local Church, ensuring that the experience, insight, and voice of the clergy are duly considered in the Archbishop’s decision-making.

Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Archbishop’s Council of Priests assists the Archbishop in his pastoral office through the exercise of communion, participation, and mission

As an expression of synodality, the Council fosters unity within the presbyterate and promotes co-responsibility in the life and mission of the Church. It provides a forum for respectful dialogue, attentive listening, and communal discernment.

Attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Council listens to its members and to the wider People of God, discerning the needs of the Archdiocese and offering considered and prayerful counsel to the Archbishop.

In collaboration with all the baptised, the Council seeks to advance a missionary and outward-looking Church, promoting participation, inclusion and the growth of authentic discipleship.