Bequests

For 2,000 years, Catholics have made heroic sacrifices as a means of Christian witness.

As seen in the New Testament, Christians gave all they had to further proclaim the Gospel and advance Christ’s mission.

Today, faithful Catholics from around the world continue to give. A bequest to the Catholic Church in Sydney is one way to continue building this ancient tradition of giving to share our faith and our works with the community.

A bequest is a gift of part of your estate made in your Will. Your estate is the total of all your assets and possessions when you pass away.

By making a bequest, you will provide support for many ministries provided by the Church. Your generosity will make a difference in the lives of many individuals.

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Where Can you leave a legacy gift?

Charitable Works Fund

Supporting our ministries of service and evangelisation.

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Priests' Retirement Foundation

Caring for our retired priests who have cared so much for us.

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St Mary's Cathedral

Restoring and preserving the heart of our Catholic Faith in Sydney.

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Palestrina Foundation

Performing and preserving the Church’s treasury of sacred music, in Australia’s largest church.

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Types of Bequests

There are four main types of bequests a donor can leave in their will.

Residual

This is the remainder of the donor’s estate after first leaving gifts to their loved ones. A residual bequest will stay consistent with inflation.

 Percentage or Fractional

This is a gift expressed as a percentage or fraction of the donor’s estate. Again, these gifts aren’t influenced by inflation. Donors can leave a percentage of either the residue of their estate or a percentage of the entire estate.

Pecuniary or Specific

This is a specified gift which can include money, property or stocks and shares.

Whole Estate

This comprises the donor’s entire estate and is usually left by those without family or other preferred beneficiaries, or by those wanting to achieve something very significant with their gift.

A bequest may be given 'freely', meaning that the recipient organisation can make arrangements as it sees fit within the aims of the organisation, or it may be given with conditions, which must be honoured.

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Wording for your Will

If you would like to assist the Church to continue its charitable works, we recommend the following standard clause:

I give to the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of Sydney the sum of $___________________ for the purpose of (select from of the following):

  •     The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney
  •     The Priests’ Retirement Foundation
  •     The Charitable Works Fund
  •     St Mary’s Cathedral National Trust
  •     My local parish, (please specify)

If you wish to leave the whole or part of your estate, then this clause will have to be adapted accordingly in consultation with your solicitor.

More information

Cardinal Gilroy Society

The Cardinal Gilroy Society was established in 2009 to honour and thank those people with the foresight to pledge a bequest for the ongoing ministries of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.

Supporters who advise that they have left a bequest in their Will to one of the Sydney Archdiocese’s good works including the Charitable Works Fund, the Priests’ Retirement Foundation, St Mary’s Cathedral Conservation Appeal or one of its parishes or agencies, are invited to become members of the Gilroy Society.

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News and Testimonials from Bequestors and Beneficiaries

Welcoming Thomas to the team

Feb 12, 2022 | News
Greetings! My name is Thomas Ng and I’m the Gifts in Wills Manager of the Development and Fundraising Office in the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. ...
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Mr. Ray Morris

Jan 22, 2020 | Testimonials
How has the Catholic Faith Impacted your life? Like many others, my Catholic faith was nurtured by my mother who was a very good practising ...
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Meet Richard, our new Planned Giving Specialist

Oct 20, 2019 | News
Hi there, My name is Richard Allcock and I have recently joined the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney’s Development and Fundraising Office, as a Planned Giving ...
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Mr. Paul Pinel

Oct 20, 2019 | Testimonials
Meet Paul Pinel My parents lived through the depression in a room in Newtown. Dad was out of work, mum was out of work, and ...
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Mrs. Marie South

Oct 20, 2019 | Testimonials
At 91 years old (although she certainly does not look it – and is even younger at heart), Mrs. South is a loyal supporter of ...
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A Beneficiary of Your Support

Nov 30, 2018 | News
On 4th November 2018, the Cardinal Gilroy Society, a group of donors who have committed a gift to the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney in their ...
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CONTACT US

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you require more information about bequests and gifts in wills.
Alternatively, you can write to us at the following address:

Fundraising and Development Office
Level 7, Polding Centre
133 Liverpool St
Sydney NSW 2000

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The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney is collecting your personal information for the purposes of accepting donations, bequest enquiries, and contacting you in relation to donations to the Charitable Works Fund, St Mary's Cathedral National Trust, Priests' Retirement Foundation, and Palestrina Foundation. We also collect your personal information for the purpose of contacting you regarding activities and events of the Archdiocese and Catholic Church and for the purpose of other agencies of the Archdiocese and organisations affiliated with the Archdiocese contacting you for fundraising purposes. Your personal information will be collected in accordance with the collection notice which can be found at https://www.sydneycatholic.org/terms-and-conditions/#collection.

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