In the Catholic Church in Australia, jurisdiction over priests is primarily held by their
bishop.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
* The Bishop of the Diocese: A priest's primary superior is the bishop of the diocese where he is incardinated (officially attached). The bishop has the authority to:
* Assign priests to parishes or other ministries within the diocese.
* Supervise their conduct and adherence to Church teachings and laws.
* Discipline priests, if necessary, for violations of canon law or misconduct.
* Grant faculties (permissions) to priests to perform certain sacraments and functions.
* Religious Order Superiors (for Religious Priests): If a priest is a member of a religious order (e.g., Jesuits, Franciscans, Benedictines), he is also subject to the authority of his religious superior (e.g., Provincial Superior, Abbot). The religious superior oversees the priest's life within the order, including his obedience to the order's rules and charism. However, even religious priests usually need the local bishop's permission (faculties) to minister within a diocese. There's often a sharing of jurisdiction, and cooperation, between the religious superior and the diocesan bishop.
* The Pope: Ultimately, the Pope has supreme authority over all members of the Catholic Church, including priests and bishops. While the Pope typically doesn't directly intervene in the day-to-day affairs of a diocese, he can do so if necessary, especially in cases of serious misconduct or doctrinal issues.
* The Apostolic Nuncio: The Apostolic Nuncio is the Pope's representative to Australia. The Nuncio plays a role in the selection of bishops and serves as a liaison between the Vatican and the Church in Australia.
In summary, the bishop of the diocese is the primary authority figure for priests working within that diocese. If the priest is a member of a religious order, his religious superior also has authority over him, in cooperation with the local bishop. The Pope retains ultimate authority.