Deputy General Secretary of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Jeremy Stuparich will retire at the end of this year after 14 years of service.

Initially serving as the director of public policy, Mr Stuparich has worked with four presidents and three general secretaries.

He was appointed the inaugural Deputy General Secretary in August 2021, supporting the work of the bishops’ commissions and their executive secretaries.

“Mr Stuparich has provided wisdom, strength, and constancy to the secretariat,” General Secretary Fr Chris de Souza said.

“He fostered the ongoing professional development of personnel at the secretariat and supported the improved governance and operations of the Conference.

“It was significant that the Conference chose a lay person for this new position.”

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, conveyed his appreciation to Mr Stuparich for his contribution to the secretariat and the work of Australia’s bishops.

Mr Stuparich said: “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to assist bishops with public policy work and Conference business for so many years.

“Bishops have tough jobs, so it was a privilege to help. I have also been fortunate to work with so many wonderful colleagues and tried to draw something from their example as people of faith.”

The Conference will consider filling the vacancy next year, after advice from the 10-year review which the bishops initiated at their plenary meeting in Sydney this week.

(Image: Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Vice President Bishop Greg Bennet, Deputy General Secretary Jeremy Stuparich and General Secretary Fr Chris de Souza. Photo by Paul Osborne ACBC)