Around 100 participants gathered in Adelaide this month for the 58th annual Conference of the Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand.
Attendees came from Australia and New Zealand, as well as Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Canada, and Hong Kong.
The conference program featured presentations by Adelaide Archbishop Patrick O’Regan, who offered his reflections on the Australian Plenary Council and the recent Synod and their significance for the local Church.
Dr Bernadette Tobin of the Plunkett Centre for Ethics explored the moral complexities of voluntary assisted dying legislation and the Church’s response.
Dr Michael Nobel, Professor of Canon Law at the University of St Paul, Ottawa, Canada, examined the concept of psychological incapacity as a ground for nullity of marital consent.
Fr Peter Slack of the Lismore Diocese addressed the canonical implications for the Church’s mission through the use of civil incorporation of Catholic entities such as schools, health, and social services.
Fr Binh Le of the Melbourne Archdiocese explored the obligations and rights of clergy arising from incardination and the challenges the Church faces in incardinating priests from different cultures into the Church in Australia.
Sue Rivett, from the Regional Tribunal of Adelaide, presented a workshop on the “good of spouses” in marriage, and Sr Janette Murphy shared her experiences of supporting members of the deaf community who approach tribunals seeking nullity of their marriage.
Dr John Doherty of the Sydney Archdiocese presented a practicum on penal processes for those engaged in the penal law of the Church.
“Our annual conference is an opportunity for those involved in the field of canon law to study and reflect together on issues that are both complex and pastoral,” CLSANZ president Fr Paul Clark said.
“Over our few days together, there is the chance for members to meet, listen, and share our common wisdom on topics of interest in the Church today. This, in turn, assists us in our ministry and life, whether we are engaged in tribunal ministry, religious life, diocesan governance and administration, or in the mission of the Church more generally.”
Christchurch’s Monsignor Brendan Daly was presented with the CLSANZ Owen Oxenham Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to canon law. He was also awarded a life membership of the CLSANZ, along with Toowoomba Bishop Emeritus Robert McGuckin and Sr Maria Casey RSJ.
The next CLSANZ conference will be held in Sydney in 2026. Details: clsanz.catholic.org.au.
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Canon law conference reflects on contemporary challenges (CLSANZ)
