The Council of Religious, Diocese of Ballarat was inaugurated by Bishop Ronald Mulkearns in 1972. At that time it was called the Ballarat Diocesan Sisters’ Council. With the inclusion of the Christian Brothers in 1985,  followed by other male congregations, the Council was appropriately renamed.

The objectives of the Council of Religious include the following:

• To be a contact for and a support to the Bishop;
• To provide the religious of the diocese with a voice in the matters pertaining to the life and mission of the church of the diocese of Ballarat;
• To make a contribution to the life and faith of the Ballarat diocese; and
• To promote the understanding of Religious Life within the church.

2021 Members of the Council for Religious

President:  Bishop Paul Bird CSsR
Treasurer:  Sr Irene Monigatti rsm
Secretary:  Sr Maree Holt csb
Members:  Sr Ana Robertson csn and Sr Carmel Giles rsm.

Religious Congregations in our diocese at this time