Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Bridging Civil and Canon Law in Conflict Resolution
- How church entities operate in the civil legal system
- Ensuring harmony between canonical (church) governance and civil governance (statutes, policy and procedure)
- Identifying mutual expectations of canonical and civil leadership
- Establishing and managing reserve powers
- Ecclesial formation for those responsible for civil governance
Presented by Fr Brian Lucas, National Director – Australia, Catholic Mission
Chair
Josephine Heesh, Partner, Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers
Presenters
Josephine Heesh, Partner, Carroll & O'Dea LawyersJosephine has built a distinguished 45year career as a solicitor, specializing in supporting religious, charitable, philanthropic and other not-for-profit organizations. Her expertise includes setting up their structures, designing and advising on their governance, long term planning to ensure their ongoing mission and charitable purpose and advising on tax and property law issues. Josephine's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney, followed by a Master of Laws. Her professional journey includes significant roles such as becoming a partner at Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has served on various boards, including The Catholic Weekly Newspaper and Kincoppal Rose Bay School, and chaired the Sancta Sophia College Council for a decade. Currently, she is a board member of the North Sydney Retirement Trust which operates James Milson Village at North Sydney and Woolwich and is a committee member of OLSH Overseas Aid Incorporated, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to community service.
Fr Brian Lucas, National Director – Australia, Catholic Mission
Fr Brian Lucas is the National Director of Catholic Mission and was previously the General Secretary of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Secretary and Finance Officer of the Archdiocese of Sydney. He has served on several church boards including 12 years as a Director of Catholic Church Insurance Limited. He has post-graduate qualifications in law, theology and general studies and is a co-author of the Church Administration Handbook(3rd edition) and author of Collaborators in Ministry: A Guide for Lay People and Clergy.
