The National Centre for Evangelisation (NCE) is an office for the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry. Its mandate is to strategically promote and empower the Church’s mission to evangelise and the formation of missionary disciples (see BCELM Mandate).
The NCE is to assist the Commission in meeting its areas of responsibility (BCELM Mandate Item 2) and particular functions (BCELM Mandate Item 3).
The NCE is responsible to the Commission for:
- Advice on national evangelisation strategies and support;
- Resourcing a communal understanding of evangelisation and associated ministries (e.g. youth, women, etc.) empowering local enhancement and national effectiveness in the formation of coresponsible missionary disciples;
- Accompaniment and catechetical formation to enquirers in order to nurture their encounter with Christ and his local Church;
- Promotion of Catholic teaching and information by engaging with social, cultural and ecological concerns (e.g. film and broadcasting, sport, wellbeing, etc.);
- Coordinate and collaborate, particularly within the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, on national initiatives to enhance evangelisation and missionary discipleship;
- Networking with dioceses, organisations and bodies to listen and share resources and strategies for evangelisation to ensure best practice;
- Active involvement in the Plenary Council journey and to lead intuitively and proactively on its outcomes.
The initiatives of the NCE include:
- Catholic Enquiry Centre;
- Australian Catholic Youth Festival;
- Women’s Leadership for Mission;
- Office for Film and Broadcasting;
- Evangelisation Conference;
- World Youth Day.
In carrying out its mandate the NCE seeks to empower, resource and collaborate with ordained and laity networks across the diversity of the Church
Staff
Malcolm Hart
Director, National Centre for Evangelisation and the Catholic Enquiry Centre
Malcolm Hart is the Director of the National Centre for Evangelisation of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. He has over 30 years of experience in evangelisation and ministry in Australia with local movements, diocesan and national roles. Malcolm has qualifications in community services, theology and leadership. He is an author and presenter at national and international conferences.
From 2009-2019 Malcolm was the Director of the Australian Bishops Office for Youth, which was established immediately after WYD2008 in Sydney. He was the Festival Director of the Australian Catholic Youth Festival from 2012-2019, which in 2017 hosted over 21,000 participants. He has also accompanied thousands of Australian pilgrims to 10 international World Youth Days over 25 years.
In 2019 Malcolm was appointed a Consultor to the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, and re-appointed for a second term in 2023. In 2023 Malcolm was appointed as the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference nominated liaison for the pastoral care of sports with the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education, meeting in the dicastery in 2024 with staff and other nominated leaders from around the world.
Email: info@nce.catholic.org.au
Matthew Biddle
Digital Engagement Officer
In February 2021, Matthew joined the National Centre for Evangelisation team, working particularly in the digital space. His previous work experience has been primarily in the field of media and communications, including roles for the Archdiocese of Perth and the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. At the parish level, Matthew has been an altar server since childhood, and as such has developed a love for the liturgy, prayer and the devotions of the Church. With a young and growing family, Matthew has a deep interest in faith formation for parents and men in particular. Matthew’s tertiary qualifications are in journalism and the liberal arts (theology, philosophy, history and literature).
Email: info@nce.catholic.org.au
Contact
National Office:
A: GPO Box 368, Canberra ACT 2601
W: nce.catholic.org.au