Fr Anthony (Tony) Doran has been appointed Executive Secretary for Liturgy by the ACBC, a unique and important role in the Australian Church. 

Archbishop Patrick O’Regan, chair of the Bishops Commission for Liturgy, welcomed the appointment, praising Fr Tony’s deep faith, liturgical knowledge, and pastoral experience.

Fr Tony, speaking to the Melbourne Catholic said that the new role offers a unique opportunity to bring together a lifelong interest in the liturgical life of the Church.

"With my experience as a priest, leader and educator to support the work of the Church across Australia, I will support the Bishops Commission for Liturgy and its three advisory councils: the National Liturgical Council, the National Liturgical Music Council, and the National Liturgical Architecture and Art Council."

Fr Tony is also working with the APMN and NLC on the Pilgrims of Hope Conference as a member of the organising committee.

Before entering the seminary, he worked as a secondary school teacher in Victoria. Since his ordination in 2003, he has served in both suburban and rural parishes.

He has also pursued advanced liturgical studies and has written extensively for Australian liturgical journals. A former president of the Australian Academy of Liturgy, he is a member of the international group Societas Liturgica.

One of his key responsibilities will be contributing to the development of a new Lectionary for Mass, a collaborative effort with bishops’ conferences in Ireland and New Zealand.