GOVERNANCE

Stewardship & Structure

Loreto Ministries has both canonical and civil responsibilities for Loreto's education ministry. As a Ministerial Public Juridic Person, it exists to ensure Loreto schools remain faithfully Catholic and sustainable into the future.

STEWARDSHIP & STRUCTURE

Loreto Ministries was established to steward and strengthen the Loreto mission for future generations. As a canonical Ministerial Public Juridic Person (MPJP), it brings together canonical and civil responsibilities in service of Catholic education.

Its Steward Directors also serve as directors of Loreto Ministries Ltd (LML), a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee. LML has been the civil law entity for Loreto Ministries since November 2015.

Loreto Ministries MPJP was established in 2023 by decree of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Together, these canonical and civil structures ensure that Loreto schools remain faithfully Catholic, well governed and sustainable into the future.

UNDERSTANDING MPJPs

Watch the video below for an introduction to Ministerial Public Juridic Persons, or explore the Association of Ministerial Public Juridic Persons' overview for more information.

HOW LORETO MINISTRIES OPERATES

Partnership

Loreto Ministries works closely with School Boards, Principals and leadership teams across the network. Through this partnership, responsibility for mission, strategy and the future of Loreto education is shared across communities and generations.

Subsidiarity

Decision-making is exercised at the most appropriate level, with responsibility entrusted to those closest to the work. School Boards and Principals lead within their own communities, while Loreto Ministries provides governance oversight, support and formation.

Stewardship

Stewardship reflects a responsibility not only to preserve what has been entrusted to us, but to strengthen and sustain the mission for those who will come after. This includes stewardship of:

  • The Mary Ward charism and Loreto tradition

  • Catholic identity and mission

  • Safeguarding and wellbeing

  • Governance and accountability

  • Financial sustainability

The governance of Loreto Ministries brings together those entrusted with sponsorship, governance and school leadership, each with distinct responsibilities in supporting the mission and future of Loreto education.

The Sponsors Council

The Sponsors Council safeguards the mission and charism entrusted to Loreto Ministries and appoints the Chair and Steward Directors of Loreto Ministries. It is comprised of at least five persons, two of whom must be members of the Congregation of Jesus.

The Steward Directors

The Steward Directors carry responsibility for the governance, mission and long-term sustainability of Loreto Ministries and its educational works. Together with the staff executive team, they support governance, formation, safeguarding, communications, finance and strategic priorities across the network.

School Boards and Principals

Loreto Ministries works closely with School Boards and Principals across all Loreto schools in Australia. While each school has its own identity, all share responsibilites to the Mary Ward tradition and the formation of young people as seekers of truth and doers of justice.

GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP

THE PURPOSE OF LORETO MINISTRIES

Continue the
mission

“As a Public Juridic Person, Loreto Ministries continues the mission of Jesus Christ and assumes responsibility for the education ministries transferred to it by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the Institute), and responds to other needs, in accordance with the charism of Mary Ward, with particular care for communities experiencing poverty and disadvantage.”

Loreto Ministries Canonical Statutes 2.1

Ensure faithful governance

“Loreto MInistries exists to ensure though its governance, policies and practices that each of the works for which it is responsible operates in conformity with the teaching, discipline and law of the Roman Catholic Church.”

Loreto Ministries Canonical Statutes 2.2

Build on the
charism

Loreto Ministries will build on the charism and educational traditions of the Institute.

Loreto Ministries Canonical Statutes 2.3