The National Council of Priests is an Australian wide organisation of Catholic clergy – Bishops, Priests and Deacons – who join together to support each other in their priestly ministry. Founded in 1971 by the priests of Australia, the NCP is a professional organisation of clergy working for the good of all clergy and offering services to the Catholic Church.

The Objects and Purposes of the Council

• To promote a spirit of fraternity among the members and other clerics of the Catholic Church in Australia
• To devise ways and means for members and others to better serve the people to whom they are called to minister.
• To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and to promote the spirit of ecumenism and to establish ecumenical links
• To effect a liaison with other national bodies of religious men and women and with national bodies of laity
• To maintain contact with similar associations
• To be a consultative body to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
• About half of all Australian Catholic Clergy – Diocesan and Clerical Religious – are members. Members pay an annual subscription to belong to the NCP.

Activities & Initiatives

• Builds links between Australian clergy – Bishops, Priests and Deacons.
• Publishes a quarterly magazine The Swag which is sent to all Catholic Clergy – now available at http://theswag.org.au
• Publish a quarterly news bulletin which is sent to all members (post or email)
• Members Only web site http://nationalcouncilofpriests.com.au
• Represents clergy at the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
• Collaborates with the Leaders of Religious Institutes.
• Sponsors a bi-annual NCP Convention to which all clergy are invited.
• Sponsors clergy in ongoing education through bursaries.
• Publishes the annual Clergy Contact List (members only)
• Maintains an active interest in Clergy Renewal.
• Promotes research associated with creative pastoral programmes.
• Initiated and supports the Australian Catholic Clergy Relief Fund which assists clergy in poorer Australian dioceses.
• Is a founding member and Committee member of the International Committee of English Speaking Priests.
• Publishes the Official Directory of the Catholic Church of Australia - print and online
• Represents Diocesan Clergy on the Bishops’ Committee for Professional Standards.

Some of the issues currently receiving discussion include:

• Care for Clergy
• The on-going problem of acculturation of foreign priests into the Australian Church
• Questions around the implementation and catechesis required for changed in the new liturgy
• Professional Standards matters – Integrity in Ministry & Towards Healing
• Imagining Pastoral Leadership: conversing, reflecting, acting together – The concept of how we can best be church in Australia, and formulating a common agenda for action.
• Developing a history of the NCP from Archival material, much of it donated by Fr Les Cashen, Fr Tony Redden and Fr Gary Russell.
• Further developing and strengthening good relationships with the growing numbers of permanent deacons, through a reciprocal arrangement between the NCP and the Australian Catholic Deacons Association.

Contact the NCP

NCP National Office
PO Box 295, Belmont VIC 3216
Ph: (03) 5244 3680
Fax: (03) 5244 4762
Email: editor@theswag.org.au