In promoting and supporting the contemplative and prophetic service of Religious in Australian society ... based on the values of being attentive to the Spirit, inclusive and prophetic ... the National Council of Catholic Religious Australia is commissioned to:
1. Promote dialogue around the spiritual and faith dimensions of life in Australian society
i. Facilitate public conversations on the spiritual journey
ii. Liaise pro-actively with religious and members of other Churches
iii. Seek dialogue opportunities with leaders of other faiths
2. Speak as Religious on social concerns of our time
a. Agree to the issues to be attended to by CRA (survey findings give a starting point). Make them known on the website, eg:
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place of women in the Church
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trafficking
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being a Neighbour in the Pacific
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asylum seekers' rights
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indigenous rights and reconciliation
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justice, peace and creation questions
b. Finalise CRA Charter, clarifying roles of each State body in relation to Council with respect to communication and advocacy
c. Finalise Communications Policy, and clarify objectives for communicating with each of the following target groups:
i. Catholic community, including Australian Bishops
ii. General public
iii. Influential groups including media, policy makers, levels of government
d. Develop a method to coordinate, edit and issue pubic statements; maintain a CRA website and produce an electronic newsletter which reports Religious actions and voices
e. Establish resources to implement strategies for this goal, eg a Communications Committee, with responsibility for developing the Communications Policy.
3. Develop a solidarity among Religious
a. Implement the new name change and communicate to CRA members and external key target groups identified above. Incorporate the new name and refreshed identity and logo into communication media, such as letterheads, website and e-newsletter (by late March, prior to going public in April)
b. Strengthen internal communication of decisions and actions of Council, sending regular information to State bodies and Leaders
c. Facilitate collaboration on common projects across state bodies and congregations, and convene working groups where appropriate
d. Facilitate sharing of resources and expertise where necessary
e. Support Religious Institutes in the care of members
f. Strengthen links to associations in the Asia Pacific region
g. Promote Religious Life and Vocations (clarify relation with CVMA)
h. Facilitate relationships between Religious and Church bodies:
i. Dialogue with Bishops at Mixed Commission and ACBC
ii. Invite Bishops to the annual Assembly
iii. Agencies such as Caritas Australia, Catholic Health, Catholic Social Services, National Catholic Education Commission
4. Facilitate a range of services (formation, transition planning and temporal administration) for Religious leaders
a. Facilitate forums to keep leaders up-to-date, eg
i. Co-host canon law training (3 year cycle)
ii. Institutes in Transition and governance matters
iii. Assist Religious leaders develop partnerships with the laity
iv. Properties and Assets advice (eg retreat house register)
v. Maintain up-to-date information service through regular communications, electronic newsletter and website
vi. Exchanges among members and institutes engaged in public services, eg Education, Health Care and Social Services
vii. Planning for Mission
viii. Professional Standards
b. Monitor legal matters especially in relation to the Federal Government (eg Patrimony)
c. Develop national standards, where required
d. Develop and circulate new member orientation
e. Support Religious in remote places
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