Church Structures

Catholic education is very much part of the Catholic Church itself.

National

The hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Australia is headed by the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Australia resident in Canberra ACT.

The Catholic Church in Australia is administratively and geographically divided into seven archdioceses and 21 dioceses. The capital cities of the Australian States are the centre for archdioceses as is the national capital.

In addition there are some administrative divisions in the Church in Australia which cater for special groups eg the Melkites, the Maronites, and the Military Ordinate for the Armed Services in Australia.

The archbishops and bishops of all dioceses and the Ordinariate together with the auxiliary bishops constitute the Australian Episcopal Conference.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference meets at least annually.  The Conference has a Central Commission and various bishops’ committees.

State

In Queensland there are five diocese - Archdiocese of Brisbane and the Diocese of Rockhampton, Townsville, Cairns and Toowoomba. Each of the diocese is under the leadership of a bishop The Brisbane Archdiocese is led by the Archbishop with the assistance of two auxiliary bishops. The bishops of Queensland meet in conference, usually twice yearly. 

The Diocese

Dioceses have differing structures according to their size and geography.  Deaneries are regional areas consistent with Canon Law which form a number of parishes into a group.

Councils of priests exist in each diocese and archdiocese under their own Canon Law Statutes and are advisory to the archbishop and the bishops of the respective dioceses.

Each diocesan bishop appoints a College of Consulters from the Council of Priests to provide advice and consultation on a range of church matters.  A finance committee is also to be established in each diocese.

The Parish

The parish is the basic structure of the Church which brings together in community the families and individuals of a common region. The Parish Pastoral Council was recommended by the bishops at Vatican II as a structure for local parish communities to co-ordinate the mission of the Church at local level.  Each parish is also required to establish a finance committee to assist the parish priest in the administration of parish goods.

Pius XII Provincial Seminary

The Pius Xll is the base for the formation of diocesan priests in Queensland. The seminary is responsible to the bishops of the dioceses of Queensland.

Religious Orders in Queensland

Australia has been enriched by religious orders of priests, brothers and sisters who have contributed to many areas of Church and secular life.  Amongst the many fields of religious and charitable endeavour, education, health care and parish pastoral ministry have been prominent.