AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PROPERTY TRUST ORDINANCE 1961.

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

No. 17 of 1961

	The Roman Catholic Church Property Trust Ordinance 1937‑1938 incorporates in the Australian Capital Territory under the name “Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Goulburn” trustees of Roman Catholic Church property situated in the Territory.  The Ordinance relates to, and the corporation holds only, land held in trust for the Roman Catholic Church.

	The name of the relevant Diocese was altered by the direction of His Holiness the Pope as from 11 February, 1948, on which date the Diocese of Goulburn became the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.  No request was made to the Commonwealth Government to take any action to alter the name of the body corporate that had been incorporated by the Roman Catholic Church Property Trust Ordinance.  However, since 11 February, 1948, all instruments relating to land in the Australian Capital Territory held, or intended to be held, in trust for the Roman Catholic Church have been drawn up in the name of the “Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn”, and since that date the trustees have always used the new name and have used a new seal showing the altered name.

	On becoming aware of the position, the Church asked for urgent action to put this matter in order.  This object is achieved by the Roman Catholic Church Property Trust Ordinance 1961, which changes the name of the corporation retrospectively from 11 February, 1948, and authorizes the Registrar of Titles to make the necessary alterations in the Registry Book and on instruments concerning Catholic Church trust property in the Australian Capital Territory.

G. E. BARWICK