Religious Congregations

In Church law, religious congregations are known as Institutes of Consecrated Life or Societies of Apostolic Life. They are groups of men or women who have chosen to express their Christian commitment by living in community and taking lifelong vows - usually vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

They are governed according to their own constitutions, which are usually approved by the pope, in some cases by the local bishop. They cannot work in a diocese without the consent of the bishop. They can own and operate property and institutions. In Australia, their assets are usually held by their own body recognised in state law.

A national organisation, the Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes (ACLRI), facilitates cooperation and fellowship among the 176 such groups active in Australia today.

Ten religious congregations are currently working in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle (four male and six female). These religious congregations offer a range of pastoral, social welfare, educational, aged care and health services for people in the community.

In November 2004 Bishop Michael Malone appointed a Vicar for Consecrated Life to replace the Diocesan Council of Religious. Sr Dorothy Campion RSM is currently the Vicar for Consecrated Life.

Religious congregations in the diocese include: