CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE

OF MELBOURNE

Archbishop's Council of Priests

STATUTES

• I. Introduction

Nature, Name and Statutes

1.1 The Council of Priests ('the Council') is the practical expression of the intrinsic

unity of the priests of the Archdiocese with their first and principal priest, the

Archbishop.

1.2 By its nature and procedure, the Council is an eminent consultative organ in the

governance of the Archdiocese.

• 2. Purpose

2.1 The purpose of the Council of Priests is set out in Canon 495 § ]

'In each Diocese there is to be a Council of Priests, that is, a group of priests who represent

the presbyterium and are to be, as it were, the Bishop's senate. The Council's role is to assist

the Bishop, in accordance with the Law, in the governance of the Diocese, so that the pastoral

welfare of that portion of the People of God entrusted to the Bishop may be most effectively

promoted.'

2.2 As a body, the Council manifests the communion and collegiality between the

Archbishop and the priests. It shall seek to represent and to unite the priests of the

Archdiocese in a fraternal and co-operative spirit with one another and with the

Archbishop.

2.3 The Council will seek to give effective assistance to the Archbishop in a

consultative and advisory capacity. The Council is principally, but not limited to being,

a consultative voice, except when the Archbishop is required by law to seek the

consent of the Council in cases expressly defined by law (Canon 500 §2).

2.4 The Council will promote an environment that encourages synodality, "in which

priests and laity are called to cooperate with the bishop for the good of the whole

ecclesial community". (Pope Francis: Synod of Bishops, 17 Oct 2015)

2.5 The Council will assist the Archbishop in evaluating the missionary and pastoral

needs of the Archdiocese, and in seeking and proposing ways and means for the

effective implementation of initiatives.

• 3. Membership

3.1 The membership of the Council, over which the Archbishop presides, shall be

comprised of:

(i) The Vicar General;

(ii) Eight (8) priests, two (2) from each region, north, south, east and west, of

the Archdiocese, elected by those priests who are engaged in pastoral duties

within the Archdiocese;'

(iii) Up to seven (7) priests engaged in pastoral duties in the Archdiocese,

appointed by the Archbishop, which may include a retired priest of the

Archdiocese and an Auxiliary Bishop.

(iv) The full-time migrant chaplains shall elect from among their chaplains a

priest to be a member of the Council of Priests.

3.2 Auxiliary Bishops, unless appointed as a nominee by the Archbishop are not

members of the Council of Priests, but may attend the meetings of the Council of

Priests and should receive the agenda and minutes of the Council.

3.3 The term of appointment for each Councillor, elected or appointed, is four (4)

years excepting the initial members.

3.4 A permanent vacancy of an elected Councillor shall be filled by an election in the

region of the vacant position. The election should take place as soon as possible after

the vacancy is known to ensure the elected Councillor is present at each meeting of

the Council of priests. The elected Councillor shall serve for the unexpired portion

of the originally elected Councillor.

3.5 A vacancy of an appointed Councillor shall be filled by an appointment by the

Archbishop for the unexpired portion of the term.

1 Can. 498 §1. The following have the right of election, both active and passive, in constituting a presbyteral

council :

1/ all secular priests incardinated in the diocese;

2/ secular priests not incardinated in the diocese and priests who are members of some religious institute or

society of apostolic life, who reside in the diocese and exercise some office for the good of the diocese.

• 4. Elections

4.1 In order to guarantee continuity within the Council, there should be an election

every two years for half of the elected positions in each of the regions, north, south,

east and west.

4.2 The elected members of the Council shall be elected by mail-ballot by any priest

in good standing and who meets the criteria of Can. 498 § I which states:

"The following have the right of election, both active and passive, in constituting

a presbyteral council:

I I all secular priests incardinated in the diocese;

2/ secular priests not incardinated in the diocese and priests who are members

of some religious institute or society of apostolic life, who reside in the diocese

and exercise some office for the good of the diocese.

§2. To the extent that the statutes provide for it, the same right of election can

be conferred on other priests who have a domicile or quasi-domicile in the

diocese."

4.3 The priests eligible to vote shall be asked to submit, by electronic-mail, the names

of nominees; an Election Committee shall be responsible for confirming each

nominee's consent.

4.4 At least three weeks before the election, an official ballot shall be mailed to each

eligible elector with the list of nominees from the region in which he resides.

4.5 Each eligible elector receiving the list of nominees from his region for the election

of the Council and the official ballot is to indicate the priest(s) of his choice and return

the ballot to the Election Committee by the deadline date determined by the

Committee.

4.6 Each elector may vote for up to a maximum of four (4) nominees with each vote

having equal weight. The one nominee in each region with the highest number of votes

is appointed as the member for that region.

4.7 If there is an equal vote for the final position for elected membership, the priest

most senior by ordination will be deemed elected.

• 5. Archbishop's Appointees [ref. 3.1 (iii)]

5.1 The appointment of the Archbishop's nominees shall take place at

the conclusion of their four (4) year term.

• 6. Officers of the Council

6.1 The Officers of the Council shall be the President, Chairman, and the Secretary.

The President of the Council shall be the Archbishop. The Chairman and the Secretary

shall be elected by the members of the Council from among their members with each

two year election. Each of the Chair and Secretary may be elected for a second term

of two years.

• 7. Meetings

7.1 Ordinary meetings of the Council are held at least four (4) times a year.

Extraordinary meetings may be called as needed.

7.2 A simple majority of members shall constitute a quorum.

• 8. Council Committees

8.1 The Council shall have an Executive Committee and an Elections Committee, and

such other standing or special committees as shall be necessary to carry on the work

of the Council.

8.2 The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Council, plus two

(2) elected from among the Council members. This committee shall prepare the

agenda for the meetings of the Council, and shall coordinate where necessary the

work of the other committees.

8.3 The Elections Committee shall consist of not fewer than three (3) members

appointed by the Chairman and confirmed by the Council. This Committee shall have

supervision over matters pertaining to eligibility to vote and to be elected, and shall

conduct the elections for the elected members of the Council.

• 9. Regional Meetings

Regional meetings (North, South, East, West) shall be held before each Council meeting to

discuss the agenda as proposed by the Agenda Committee. Notes from the Regional

Meetings should form part of the agenda of each Council of Priests Meeting

• I 0. Cessation

I0.I When the See becomes vacant, the Council ceases and its functions are carried

out by the College of Consultors. The new Archbishop shall establish the Council

anew within a year of taking possession of the See.

I decree that these Statutes are to be used by the Council of Priests of the Archdiocese of

Melbourne. These Statutes replace any previously issued Statutes and are to take effect from

0 I September 2023.

Most Rev Peter A Comensoli

Archbishop of Melbourne

DATE: 0 I September 2023

St Patrick's Centre, 486 Albert Street, East Melbourne

Statutes - Council of Priests