WHY WAS APREL FORMED?

APREL came into existence in May 1983 because its founding members saw Religious Life as imperilled and in need of true renewal and reform.

The growing trend towards secularisation amongst religious, and the consequent falling off in recruits to religious communities, signalled a need for Catholics from all sectors of Church life to combine their resources in defence of this vocation which is so central to the life of the Church.

This need has now become critical. Religious Life is seriously endangered across the length and breadth of Australia.

"The august Pontiff has many times indicated the vocational issue as the fundamental problem of the Church". (Church Document "Vocational Pastoral Ministry" n2)