BRISBANE archdiocese hosted the National Conference on Clergy Care on October 11 and 12.
More than 60 participants representing 24 of Australia’s 28 dioceses’ attended the conference, co-hosted by the Australian Catholic Council for Clergy Life and Ministry (ACCCLM) and the Brisbane Archdiocese.
Talks were given on issues surrounding ageing, taxation and social security issues for clergy; fundraising for clergy foundations; healthcare services; practical support for retired clergy and the challenges for smaller dioceses.
Amongst the key presenters, many of them expert in their own area, were gerontology educator Marist Brother Ray Mulvogue and Biljana Apostolova-Antunovic, who is a Melbourne lawyer providing advice to not-for-profit organisations on revenue law and structuring matters.
ACCCLM director Fr Frank Devoy said he was delighted with the success of the conference.
“This is possibly the first national conference that’s been held to highlight the issues relating to clergy care across Australia and not just issues around the taxation but broader issues, their general health and general care,” he said.
“We’ve got people from Bunbury and Perth in WA, who themselves have been involved in a marvellous conference on clergy health care earlier this year, as well as people from Hobart, Cairns and Port Pirie. So it’s great that Brisbane Archdiocese has taken the initiative to bring everyone together.”
