A diocesan pastoral council is a consultative body of clergy, religious, and especially lay faithful who study and propose practical conclusions about pastoral work in a diocese.
Nature of the office
The council manifests the shared responsibility of the baptized while respecting the bishop’s governing office. Members are selected for communion with the Church, sound faith, good morals, and prudence rather than as parliamentary delegates of competing parties.[1]
Canonical place
The diocesan bishop establishes it when pastoral circumstances suggest, determines its statutes, convokes it, and alone publishes its work. It has only a consultative vote and ceases when the see becomes vacant.
References
- 1.Code of Canon Law, canons 511–514 — Universal or special law governing the office and its competence