Canon law experts, theologians, clergy and lay professionals will gather in Adelaide in September to discuss key legal and pastoral issues facing the Church in Australia and beyond. Source: Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand.
The Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand (CLSANZ) will host its 58th Annual Conference from September 1-4 at the Hilton Adelaide.
This year’s conference offers a diverse program, featuring keynote presentations and workshops that cover topics such as the ethical and canonical implications of voluntary assisted dying, the civil incorporation of Church entities, and pastoral approaches to tribunal ministry.
CLSANZ President Fr Paul Clark is looking forward to attendees engaging deeply with current and emerging challenges in canon law at the conference.
“This year’s program includes a rich mix of canonical scholarship, pastoral insight, and practical skills development in areas of canon law,” Fr Clark said.
Adelaide Archbishop Patrick O’Regan DD will open the conference with a keynote reflecting on the Australian Plenary Council and the Synod on Synodality, offering his insights into their ecclesiological significance and implications for the local Church.
Other speakers and highlights of the conference will include:
- Ethicist Bernadette Tobin, who will address the Church’s engagement with voluntary assisted dying legislation, an area of growing legal and moral complexity.
- Sydney priest Fr John Doherty , who will lead an extended practicum on the penal process, particularly relevant to those working in chanceries and safeguarding roles.
- Saint Paul University Ontario’s Michael Nobel, who will examine incapacity in giving consent to marriage and offer a practical workshop on instructing such cases.
- Lismore priest Fr Peter Slack, who will explore the canonical implications of civil incorporation for entities conducting the Church’s apostolic works.
- Melbourne priest Fr Binh Le, who will address the challenges and canonical procedures related to the incardination of clergy from other cultures in the Australian Church.
- Adelaide Archdiocese’s Sue Rivett, who will present a workshop on instructing cases concerning the bonum coniugum (the good of the spouses) in marriage nullity causes.
- Sr Janette Murphy RSJ, who will provide insights into offering pastoral care and canonical support to members of the deaf community who are seeking a declaration of nullity.
Details: CLSANZ Conference 2025 website.
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Church leaders to explore contemporary issues at Canon Law Conference in Adelaide (Canon Law Society)
