Diocesan Council

The Diocesan Council for the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane was constituted by the first Synod in June 1868 and held its first meeting on the 18th September 1868. 

Under the current Canons, the functions of the Diocesan Council are to: 

(a) provide advice to the Archbishop, as required between sessions of Synod, for the good governance of the Church;  

(b) oversee and direct the broad directions and priorities of the Church in this Diocese and oversee, monitor and control the directions, policies and operations of the Commissions formed under the Diocesan Governance Canon, so as to achieve the mission and fundamental objectives of the Church in this Diocese;  

(c) prepare the business for each session of the Synod to ensure the effective governance and management of the Church in this Diocese;  

(d) listen to, debate and formulate responses to issues confronting this Diocese, the Anglican Church of Australia or the Worldwide Anglican Communion in order to fully participate in the Anglican Communion; and  

(e) discharge its responsibilities under the Constitution and Canon 

The predecessor to the Diocesan Council was the Brisbane Diocesan Church Society (established in 1861). At its first meeting, its functions were summarised thusly : 

• The Maintenance of Clergy 

• The Erection of Church buildings 

• The Promotion of Education 

• The Circulations of Books 

• The Support of Missions 

The Brisbane Diocesan Church Society ceased in 1869, when its powers and responsibilities were officially transferred to the newly established Diocesan Synod and the Diocesan Council. The Society was reconstituted in 1895 (with the focus on Mission work) and was eventually reformed in 1906 as the Home Mission Fund – the predecessor of Anglicare Southern Queensland. 

Further information on the functions and powers of the Diocesan Council is available in the Constitution and Canons.