Council for Australian Catholic Women

History of the National Commission for Australian Women.

The CACW was the result of a research project launched by the Australian Catholic Bishop's in the 1990's concerning the participation of women in the Catholic Church in Australia.

This research resulted in the publication of the of Report, "Women and Man: One in Jesus Christ" published April 1999. In September the Bishops published the Social Justice Statement which recofed the response to the recommendations of the Report. The setting up of the National Commission for Australian Catholic Women was one of the major decisions of the Social Justice Statement.

The Commission for Australian Catholic Women (CACW) was announced on 11th December 2000 and farmally commissioned in St Mary's Cathedral Sydney on 15th June 2001.

The CACW has a mandate to:
1. Act as a focal point for ongoing dialogue and integration of ideas pertaining to women and their participation in the Catholic Church in Australia through the National Commission and Diocesan Commissions.

2. Assist in the implementation of the decisions and proposal arising from the Social Justice Statement 2000.

Council for Australian Catholic Women in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga.

In June 2006 at the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference it was decided to replace Commission with an advisory Council. We are a permanent Council, offering advice for Pastroal Life and the participation of women within the Church.

What we are?
- Group of wight Councillors and Bishop Gerard Hanna who meet quaterly.

- Consultative group by having a representative from each Parish in the Diocese to meet with their Deanry Councillors prior to Council meetings.

- A Forum for discussion with Parish Representatives annually.

What we are not about?

- Women's Ordination
- An alternative power structure
- Undermining Parish Structures.


Contact:
Council for Australian Catholic Women
Gemma Whitehead
27 Florence Crescent
Albury NSW 2640
Phone: 02 6041 1493
E-mail: bonser@bigpond.net.au

Events:
21st March 2009 - Parish Representative Day