Feel affirmed and empowered by Canon Law

If you want to feel affirmed and empowered as a Catholic read: “The Obligations and Rights of all the Christian Faithful” in the Code of Canon Law (Cann. 208 – 231). This is the recommendation of Sr Maria Casey RSJ.

On 11 April 2018, I met with Maria, the President of the Canon Law Society of Australia & New Zealand. This is a position that Maria relinquishes in September 2018 after six, very full and interesting, years.

The Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand has 230 + members. Its main activities are:

• hosting an annual conference (the next being on 3–6 September 2018 in Adelaide, South Australia);
• publishing the Proceedings of its Annual Conference;
• publishing, twice yearly, a journal, The Canonist (annual subscription for non-members of the Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand is AU$44.00 (GST included). Single copies cost AU$22.00 (GST included));
• promoting the role of Canon Law as an instrument of the pastoral mission of the Church through participation in seminars, committees and the involvement of members as advisory personnel for individuals, groups, parishes and dioceses; and
• providing a governance course for leaders of Institutes of Consecrated Life (Participants complete this 12-day course over four days each year for three years. The course content covers the canons that address the many aspects of Consecrated Life governance).

The President and other individual members also:

• advise the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference: Commission on Canon Law – directly and via the Australian Catholic Council for Canon Law;
• communicate and coordinate with the other National and regional Canon Law Societies; and
• facilitate the mutual support and consultation among Canonists.

As Ministerial PJPs are entities under Canon Law, they need Canonists to understand their needs, procedures and structures. We believe that regular communication between our organisations will help in this regard. We can also see that Canonists providing education to the Canonical Stewards of Ministerial PJPs would increase the understanding we each have for each others role and situation. I will raise this with AMPJP Council as part of their ongoing discussion of canonical steward formation. The AMPJP intends to maintain a list of Canonists with experience with Ministerial PJPs. I see AMPJP members as the best source in compiling this list.

My meeting with Maria was a good start to what I am sure will be a constructive and mutually beneficial relationship between our organisations.