ACBC

ACBC stands for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in Australia. It represents the collective authority of the Catholic bishops in Australia and serves as the national coordinating body for the Church’s life and mission in the country. The conference is composed of the bishops from all dioceses and archdioceses of Australia and meets to discuss matters of common concern, provide guidance to dioceses and Catholic institutions, and coordinate national programs.

Among its functions are the formulation of national policies and statements on issues affecting the Catholic community, the oversight of pastoral initiatives, and the coordination of education, liturgy, charity, and communications across Australia. The ACBC also engages in ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, and maintains relations with civil authorities and the Holy See, ensuring that national activities are consistent with Catholic teaching.

Administrative work is carried out by a secretariat and several commissions or offices focusing on areas such as pastoral ministry, education, social justice, youth, evangelisation, and communications. The Conference issues national statements and guidelines, including its annual Social Justice Statement, which addresses contemporary social issues from Catholic teaching.

As part of the global Catholic Church, the ACBC operates within the framework of the Vatican’s universal mission and cooperates with the other episcopal conferences around the world.