Council of Priests
Each Diocese is intended to have a Council of Priests. This body acts as a kind of ‘senate’ to the Bishop, assisting him in the governance of the Diocese. Members of the Council are representatives of all priests who are incardinated or ministering in the Diocese, elected by them and appointed by the Bishop.
The Council is designed to give expression to that special relationship that exists theologically between the Bishop and his priests, a relationship that is both sacramental and fraternal.
The Bishop is obliged to consult the Council of Priests on matters of importance and in certain specific instances outlined in Canon Law.
This Council is the primary source of counsel to the Bishop, so that the pastoral welfare of the Diocese might be effectively promoted. The current Council of Priests for the Diocese of Bathurst comprises:
Appointed by the Bishop (ex-officio)
- Very Rev Paul Devitt – Vicar General (Episcopal Vicar for Education), Chair
- Very Rev Greg Kennedy – (Episcopal Vicar for Clergy)
Members elected by the Presbyterium
- Fr Reynold Jaboneta, Secretary
- Fr Thao Van Nguyen
- Fr Nam Dinh Le
Trustees/Consultors
Members appointed by the Bishop
- Very Rev Paul Devitt – Vicar General (Episcopal Vicar for Education)
- Very Rev Greg Kennedy – Episcopal Vicar for Clergy
- Fr Owen Gibbons
- Fr Reynold Jaboneta
- Fr Thao Van Nguyen
- Fr Nam Dinh Le
Diocesan Finance Council
The Diocesan Finance Council (DFC) is the primary consultative body to the Bishop on financial and administrative matters. Its role is to advise the Bishop on the administration of the temporal goods of the Diocese.
Council members are appointed by the Bishop. They are a diverse group of people with skills and expertise in finance, accounting, investment and law. The Council has a Sub-committee which has responsibility for our Catholic Development Fund.
Current members of the Council:
- Very Rev Paul Devitt (Vicar General) – Ex-officio
- Very Rev Greg Kennedy (Episcopal Vicar for Clergy) – Ex-officio
- Mr Patrick Cooper (Diocesan Financial Administrator) – Ex Officio
- Mr David Cooke (Chair – CDF Sub-committee) – Bathurst
- Ms Yolanda Coote – Bathurst
- Mrs Bernadette Denman – Bathurst
- Mr Stephen Flynn – Mudgee
- Mr Paul Morrison – Bathurst
- Mr David Andrews
- Mr Bruce Clydsdale
- Ms Hong Nguyen
- Mr John Walkom
Walking Together on a Path of Renewal
Across the Diocese of Bathurst, parish communities are continuing their shared journey of renewal. This ongoing process began over a decade ago with our first Diocesan Assembly in 2013 and remains grounded in listening, reflection and mission.
In preparation for Parish Assemblies in 2026, Bishop Michael McKenna has invited each parish to form a Walking Together Team to help guide and support their local community through this next phase. This is not a new beginning, but a natural continuation of the good work already taking place across the Diocese.
To support this journey, a Diocesan team – Deacon Josh Clayton, Vince Connor, Jenny Allen and Dale Pangilinan – will work alongside parish teams, offering resources and guidance.
The season of Advent 2025 will invite parishes to reflect on the lived experience of their people – their joys, hopes, griefs and anxieties – beginning with a Penitential Service to open hearts and minds to the work ahead.
A key part of the preparation will be a formation series during Lent 2026, held each Tuesday evening via Zoom. Parish Contact Persons and their Walking Together Teams will gather locally to participate in these sessions, which will feature input from a range of presenters – including international and national leaders, alongside experienced voices from within our Diocese. The sessions will explore the themes of Mission, Communion and Participation, grounding them in the real context of parish life.
Parishes are encouraged to begin each evening with shared hospitality – perhaps a simple meal – before tuning into the session. Following the presentation and discussion, teams will have time for their own reflection and planning.
Later in 2026, parishes will host Assemblies to prayerfully consider how the fruits of reflection and formation can shape local life and ministry. These gatherings will vary depending on parish context, but all will aim to broaden participation and encourage a deeper sense of belonging.
As Bishop Michael reminded us in his Pastoral Letter, “The mission of the Church belongs to every Christian… always asking, ‘what can I do to make it better?’”
For more information or support, contact Jenny Allen via: allenj5924@gmail.com