A community of Catholic biblical scholars ACBA

Professor Frank Moloney

The Australian Catholic Biblical Association notes with sorrow the passing of Rev. Professor Francis (Frank) J. Moloney SDB AM FAHA (1940–2025), who died in Melbourne on 8 November 2025 after a period of illness. A Salesian of Don Bosco ordained in 1970, Frank was among the most distinguished biblical scholars Australia has produced — internationally renowned for his work on the Gospel of John and the author of more than fifty academic books. He served on the Holy See's International Theological Commission for eighteen years, was the first theologian elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, and in 2001 became the first non-American elected President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America. His scholarship shaped generations of students, and his pastoral writing on Scripture remains widely used in parishes and schools. We remember him with deep gratitude. Read the Catholic Theological College tribute →

In his honour, the 2026 ACTA/ACBA conference held a panel commemorating Frank's life and work on Monday 6 July at St Aloysius College, Adelaide — chaired by Rosemary Canavan, with Brendan Byrne, Dorothy Lee, Michael Trainor and Catherine Playoust. You can read the panellists' contributions here.

Membership

Join a community
of biblical scholars.

ACBA membership brings you into a trans-Tasman community of biblical scholars, academics and doctoral students across Australia and New Zealand, committed to the study of Sacred Scripture. While the Association is Catholic in its foundation and aims, it also warmly welcomes applications from scholars, academics and doctoral students of other faith traditions who are in sympathy with those aims. Application is by sponsorship, with approval at the Annual General Meeting.

The pathway to membership

Three steps. Two pathways.

Find a sponsor

Your application must be supported by an existing ACBA member. If you don't yet know a member, please contact the Secretary — Ian will arrange a conversation and, if appropriate, identify a sponsor on your behalf.

Speak to the Secretary →

Submit your application

Complete the online form below, or download the printable version and email the completed form to the Secretary if you prefer to apply on paper. Both routes follow the same sponsorship process.

Online form → · Download PDF →

AGM approval

Applications are reviewed by the executive and presented for approval at the next Annual General Meeting. Once approved, you'll be welcomed at the next conference.

Online application

Applicant details

Please complete all fields. Submissions are routed to the Secretary for initial review. All information is treated in confidence.

Surname

Christian Name(s)

Address

Postcode

Telephone Numbers

Email address

Telephone Numbers(Mob)

Present Appointment

Degrees / Title Institution Granting Degree

Date of Award

Particular Areas of Interest in Biblical Studies

Does the applicant have a post-graduate degree in Biblical Studies?

yes

Is the applicant currently teaching Bible at tertiary level?

yes

Is the applicant actively involved in biblical scholarship?

yes

Applicant’s Signature

Drop File/Click Here

Date

Nominated by

Nominator’s signature

Drop File/Click Here

Subscriptions

Annual subscription renewal

Annual subscriptions are traditionally paid together with conference dues, as is the case again this year. Payments were previously handled through TryBooking, but this facility is now closed — renewals and conference payments will instead be made through this website. Members who have not yet paid their annual subscription will be notified of when and how to do so.