Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) is the peak body for Catholic Leaders of Religious Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life who are resident in Australia. Leaders of more than 150 congregations of Sisters, Brothers and Priests living and working in all States and Territories of Australia are members of CRA. Our Religious Congregations comprise about 4,000 Catholic Religious women and men. Members and their lay colleagues work in education, health care, social services and parishes. Our Apostolic Congregations work with many different groups; indigenous people, refugees and asylum seekers, people surviving on the margins and many others. Our Contemplative Orders support the world through prayer.

While each Congregation has a charism and ministerial path specific to its founder and history, Religious life in Australia features a wonderful complexity of collaboration, including the expressed desire of Religious Leaders to come together to form a united representative body. What follows is a brief sketch of how the current configuration of CRA came to be – the result of the discernment undertaken by Religious Leaders during 70 years of an evolving Church, amidst the changing landscape of Australian society.

The formation of Religious Conferences: 1954 -1992

Our story begins in the 1950s, when two representative bodies were formed for male Religious – one in 1954 for Priests (the Conference of Major Superiors of Clerical Religious of Australia, CMSCRA) and another in 1955 for Brothers (the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious Brothers, CMSRB). In 1967, a similar body was formed for Women Religious (the Conference of Major Superiors of Women Religious in Australia, CMSWRA).

In 1977, the Presidents of all three Conferences, together with other representatives, formed a National Council of 16 members. At the 1988 National Assembly, a resolution was passed that “this Assembly agrees to the formation of the Australian Conference of Leaders of Major Superiors for two years until the 1990 Assembly, when a final decision will be made.” By Decree of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL), the Statutes for “The Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes” (ACLRI) were approved in Rome on 18 May 1992.

From ACLRI to CRA: 1992-2008

In 1992, ACLRI was governed by a national executive, with additional state conferences. An elected National Council met regularly, and a series of committees took carriage of core interests such as education, health care, and intra-church relations.

The organisation of the annual National Assembly was a key activity, and the themes of the Assemblies during these years illustrate the ‘big picture’ issues of concern — for example: partnering with Indigenous people (1993), the use and abuse of power (1997), and the role and influence of the media (1994). Ongoing formation and the challenges of leadership were key recurring themes.

In addition to these major annual Assemblies, the National Office was also grappling with other vital issues in Australian society — often well before they had become mainstream concerns — such as Australia’s economic situation, mental health, the Mabo decision, racism, asylum seekers, ethical investments, and inclusive language.

By 2007, the decision was taken to develop a new name for ACLRI, and the title Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) was chosen.

Further developments: 2009-2018

In 2009, the National Council of CRA commissioned the ACBC Pastoral Projects Office to carry out a survey of all Institutes of Clerical Religious, Religious Brothers, and Religious Sisters in Australia. A total of 161 Congregations responded. It was a study of Catholic Religious in Australia and provided a rich source of data which, it was hoped, would be *“a source from which we can explore more fully our current reality and our future directions.”*¹

The report documented the increasing age and declining numbers of Religious, prompting Congregations to begin considering their future from every angle — governance, finances, legacy, care of their members, and operation of their ministries. Some Congregations saw incorporated bodies and trusts as a way forward; others moved towards the establishment of Ministerial Public Juridic Persons. Still others were looking at how to work with lay people or in partnership with other Church bodies. This would have profound implications for Religious Institutes.

The 2012 announcement of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was to have a major impact on Religious Institutes and the Church as a whole, as the depth and extent of abuse in the Church were revealed. It led to significant changes in safeguarding within the Church and an acknowledgment of the extensive harm caused to those who had been abused, their families, and communities.

Additional emerging matters were appearing as agenda items for Religious Leaders, such as justice advocacy for those at risk of human trafficking and care for our common home. In November 2014, new Statutes for CRA were approved by CICLSAL, formalising its new name.

At the 2015 National Assembly, Leaders resolved to review the structure of CRA, and a year later the decision was taken to transition from state conferences of Religious to a stronger national peak body capable of playing a more effective leadership role in the Australian Church.

At the 2017 National Assembly, a newly defined purpose for CRA was articulated. It was to be the *“official voice of Members, that is, the recognised canonical representative of Leaders, the recognised point of contact and of official decision making.”*² A further outline of its role included community engagement and justice, support services, enrichment and animation, networking, information sharing, and a regular national gathering.

The diverse charisms of Members were recognised in the 2014 Statutes, which state: “By combined effort, [CRA] works to achieve more fully the purpose of each institute, while respecting the autonomy, nature and spirit of each.”

While state-based networking among Religious continues in keeping with local interests and energies, the formal structure of state conferences was phased out over the first half of 2018, with functions and services henceforth being organised from the National Office. Five Committees were endorsed: Education, Emerging Futures, Health and Wellbeing, Justice, and Stewardship.

The first lay National Executive Director was appointed in September 2017. CRA moved into new offices at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney, in July 2018, and its small Secretariat slightly expanded. A new logo was developed to mark the emergence of a ‘new CRA’ — one that depicts light and hope, with the central star representing the light of the risen Christ leading the Church forward. The light rising from the central star settles on the arc, representing the world. The Southern Cross refers to Australia, and the cross at the centre of the star symbolises Jesus at the centre of our mission.

Following the release of the final report of the Royal Commission and its recommendations, CRA determined to take a leadership role in this area. Throughout 2018 and 2019, issues concerning the National Redress Scheme and the implementation of other recommendations arising from the Royal Commission were addressed at almost every Council meeting, with expertise provided in the Secretariat. Particular attention continues to be given to the safeguarding work required to assist Members in making our Church safe for all.

A National Day of Sorrow and Promise has been held annually since 2018, uniting Congregations in an act of remembrance and prayer for victims and survivors of sexual abuse.

Among the significant program developments fulfilling the aims of the CRA Statutes, the Strategic Plan endorsed by the CRA National Council in 2021 identified five priorities that continue to shape CRA activities: animation; professional services; advocacy and leadership; strategic collaboration; governance; and operational efficiency.

New committees have emerged in response to the needs of the times, including the Ecology Alliance, Interculturality Committee, and Initial Formation Committee, in addition to Justice, Mission, Safeguarding, Stewardship, Health and Wellbeing, and Finance.

¹ ACBC PPO, “See, I am doing a new thing! A report on the 2009 survey of Catholic Religious Institutes in Australia,” p.4, https://ncpr.catholic.org.au/see-i-am-doing-a-new-thing/, accessed 2022-10-28.
² “Announcing the New Catholic Religious Australia,” Information leaflet by CRA Transition Working Party, October 2017.