At the risk of doing a Dame Nellie Melba, I write my final column as Chairman of the NCP for The Swag. (I prematurely thought the last edition was my finale!) Reflecting back over my time in this position I have been buoyed by the encouragement of priests across Australia.
Our new Chairman – Eugene McKinnon
Recently, I was at a priests’ golf tournament in the Sale Diocese. It reminded me, that at a similar event a few years back, while walking on one of the fairways, I was invited to be a part of the NCP executive. Over the past five years it has been my pleasure to work with the executive. Together with Sally and [...]
From the NCP Chairman
We priests are called to be enablers of God’s reign in the world – bearers of the good news of Jesus Christ, in season and out of season. We should never forget that we are only a part of the people of God, the body of Christ. Significant as we are, we have to collaborate with Christ’s faithful and listen attentively to [...]
From the NCP Chairman
The recent Episcopal appointments of Bill Wright (Maitland – Newcastle), Peter Comensoli (auxiliary Sydney) and Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv (auxiliary Melbourne) show encouraging signs that those making these decisions are listening to the importance of balancing intellectual prowess with pastoral experience. All three of the new appointments have had significant pastoral activities and that can only augur well for their future ministry. I congratulate [...]
NCP Media Release in support of Bishop William Morris
The NCP executive would like to express its sadness at the forced early retirement of Bishop William Morris of Toowoomba. We are appalled at the lack of transparency and due process that led to this decision by Church authorities. We are embarrassed about the shabby treatment meted out to an outstanding Pastor of this diocese [...]
From the NCP Chairman
I write having just returned to the parish from a busy but enriching last couple of weeks. From 21-23 February I attended the annual face-to-face meeting of the NCP executive at our national office in Belmont, Victoria. It was a fruitful time, meeting with the other members of the committee – including new member John [...]
From the NCP Chairman
In 1988, the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger published “The Structure and Tasks of the Synod of Bishops,” in Church, Ecumenism and Politics: New Essays in Ecclesiology (Crossroad, 1988). The essay analyzes the Synod of Bishops from theological and canonical perspectives.
From the NCP Chairman
It is just over a month since the conclusion of our national NCP convention hosted at Parramatta from the 12-16 July. Overall the convention (as recorded in the participants evaluations) could only be judged a wonderful success in gathering priests from across the nation to reflect on the Risen Christ in the changing face of the Priesthood.
From the NCP Chairman
I write having just celebrated the feast of Corpus Christi in our parish which included sharing First Holy Communion with 126 children at four of the five weekend masses. Like many other parishes, for some years now, we have fittingly celebrated First Holy Communion within this feast.
From the NCP Chairman
I write to you In the middle of the Church’s season of Lent. Lent, as we are aware, is a time for reflection, repentance and renewal in our relationship with God. It is a time for members of the Church both individually and collectively to turn away from sin and believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
