About the Directory
The Official Directory of the Catholic Church in Australia provides extensive information about the Catholic Church across Australia. The organisations mentioned in The Official Directory are recognised by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference as being approved Catholic organisations.
The information is supplied by the different Catholic authorities to the publishers of The Official Directory, The National Council of Priests of Australia (NCP). The NCP publishes The Official Directory as a service to the Catholic Church.
About the NCP
The National Council of Priests is an Australia (NCP) wide organisation of Catholic Clergy (Bishops, Priests & Deacons)and Associate Members (Lay, Religious & Seminarians) – who join together to support each other in their ministry in the Church.
Founded in 1970 in the Spirit of Vatican II, the NCP is committed to the fraternity and further education of clergy and to representing clergy in the public forum.
The Objects and Purposes of the Council:
- To promote a spirit of fraternity among 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 women and men and with national bodies of laity.
- To maintain contact with similar associations.
- To be a consultative body to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
Activities & Initiatives
- Works at building links between Australian clergy – bishops, priests and deacons.
- Works at building links between Australian clergy – bishops, priests and deacons.
- Publishes a quarterly magazine The Swag which is available to all clergy and lay people. The Swag is also available at www.theswag.org.au
- Publishes The Official Directory of the Catholic Church in Australia – print and online at www.catholicdirectory.com.au
- Members’ web site – www.nationalcouncilofpriests.com.au
- Joins with Catholic Religious Australia leaders and members at their annual National Assembly.
- Sponsors a biennial NCP Convention to which all clergy are invited.
- Sponsors the ongoing education of NCP members through bursaries.
- Publishes the Clergy Contact List on the NCP Members website.
- Maintains an active interest in Clergy Renewal
- Initiated and supports the Australian Catholic Clergy Remuneration Assistance Fund (ACCRAF) which assists clergy working in poorer outlying dioceses of Australia.
- A founding member and committee member of the International Committee of English Speaking Priests.
- Works with and financially supports the National Association of Deacons (permanent deacons).
NCP National Office
PO Box 295, Belmont Victoria 3216
74 Fryers Road, Belmont Victoria 3216
Ph: (03) 5244 3680
Fax: (03) 5244 4762
Email: national.office@ncp.catholic.org.au