Church Excerpts from Teachings on Parish Pastoral Councils:
Vatican II, “Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church,” Christus Dominus
“It is highly desirable that in every diocese a special pastoral council be established, presided over by the
diocesan bishop himself, in which clergy, religious, and laity specially chosen for the purpose will
participate. It will be the function of this council to investigate and consider matters relating to pastoral
activity and to formulate practical conclusions concerning them.” (no. 27, p. 580)
Vatican II, “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church,” Lumen Gentium
“37. Like all Christians, the laity have the right to receive in abundance the help of the spiritual goods of
the Church, especially that of the word of God and the sacraments from the pastors.1 To the latter the
laity should disclose their needs and desires with that liberty and confidence which befits children of
God and brothers of Christ. By reason of the knowledge, competence or pre-eminence which they have
the laity are empowered — indeed sometimes obliged — to manifest their opinion on those things
which pertain to the good of the Church.2 If the occasion should arise this should be done through the
institutions established by the Church for that purpose and always with truth, courage and prudence
and with reverence and charity towards those who, by reason of their office, represent the person of
Christ.” (no. 37, Flannery edition, pp. 394-5)
Vatican II, “Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People,” Apostolicam actuositatem
“In dioceses, as far as possible, councils should be set up to assist the Church’s apostolic work, whether
in the field of evangelization and sanctification or in the fields of charity, social relations and the rest;
the clergy and religious working with the laity in whatever way proves satisfactory. These councils can
take care of the mutual coordinating of the various lay associations and undertakings, the autonomy and
particular nature of each remaining untouched.3
“Such councils should be found too, if possible, at parochial, inter-parochial, inter-diocesan level [sic],
and also on the national and international plane.4 ” (no. 26, pp. 791-2)
Vatican II, “Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity,” Ad Gentes Divinitus
“It is the responsibility of the bishop, as the head of the diocesan apostolate and its center of unity, to
promote missionary activity, guide and coordinate it, so that the spontaneous zeal of those who engage
in this work may be safeguarded and fostered. . . . For better coordination, the bishop should, as far as
possible, establish a pastoral council in which clergy, religious and lay people would have a part through
elected delegates.” (no. 30, p. 847)
Sacred Congregation for the Clergy, “Private Letter on ‘Pastoral Councils’” (Omnes Christifideles,
1/25/73)
As far as the composition of the pastoral council is concerned, although the members of the council
cannot in a juridical sense be called representatives of the total diocesan community, nevertheless, as
far as possible, they should present a witness or sign of the entire diocese, and, therefore, it seems
extremely opportune that priests, religious and laity who expound various requirements and
experiences take part in the council. The persons, then, appointed to the pastoral council ought to be
selected in such a way that the entire composition of the People of God within the diocese is truly
represented, taking into consideration the different regions, social conditions and professions as well as
the parts which individuals and associations have in the apostolate, especially those who possess
noteworthy prestige and prudence….
9. It is the function of the pastoral council “to investigate and to weigh matters which bear on pastoral
activity, and to formulate practical conclusions regarding them so as to promote conformity of the life
and actions of the People of God with the Gospel.”[28] Accordingly, those questions may be committed
to its study which, whether indicated by the diocesan bishop or proposed by the council members and
accepted by him, refer to pastoral care exercised within the diocese. It is, however, beyond the
competence of this council to decide on general questions bearing on faith, orthodoxy, moral principles
or laws of the universal Church, for the teacher of the faith in the diocese is always and obviously the
bishop alone, with his bond of communion with the head of the episcopal college and its
members.[29]…
As for those pastoral questions which pertain to the exercise of jurisdiction or governing power, the
bishop already has his own senate which assists him with its advice, namely the senate of priests.[30]
Nothing prevents the pastoral council, however, from considering questions requiring mandates of a
jurisdictional act for execution and proposing suggestions regarding them to the bishop, for in such a
case the bishop will consider the matter and make his decision after hearing the priests’ senate, if the
case requires.
The pastoral council, therefore, can give the bishop great help by presenting him with proposals and
suggestions – regarding missionary, catechetical and apostolic undertakings within the diocese;
concerning the promotion of doctrinal formation and the sacramental life of the faithful; concerning
pastoral activities to help the priests in the various social and territorial areas of the diocese; concerning
public opinion on matters pertaining to the Church as it is more likely to be fostered in the present time;
etc. The pastoral council can also be extremely useful for mutual communication of experiences and for
proposed undertakings of various types by which the concrete needs of the people of the diocese may
become clearer to the bishop and a more opportune means of pastoral action may be suggested to
him….
“That the purpose of this council actually be accomplished, it is expedient that advance study precede
common effort using the assistance, if the case warrants it, of institutes or offices which work to this
end.”[32] Wherefore, it may be appropriate that, under the direction of the bishop, a list of questions to
be dealt with should be prepared in due time and sent to all the members of the council together with
viewpoints or studies which can be useful for the thorough examination of such questions.
Paul VI, Ecclesiae Sanctae I, August 6, 1966, “Apostolic Letter, written Motu Proprio, on the
Implementation of the Decrees Christus Dominus, Presbyterorum Ordinis and Perfectae Caritatis,”
“16. With regard to the pastoral council, which the Decree Christus Dominus strongly commended:
“(1) The work of the pastoral council is to examine and consider all that relates to pastoral work and to
offer practical conclusions on these matters, so that the life and activity of the People of God may be
brought into greater conformity with the Gospel.
“(2) The pastoral council, which enjoys only a consultative voice, may be established in different ways.
Although of its nature it is ordinarily a permanent institution, it may be temporary as regards
membership and activity and exercise its function as occasion arises. The bishop may convene it
whenever he considers it advisable.
“(3) Clerics, religious and laity, specially delegated by the bishop, take part in the work of the pastoral
council.
“(4) To achieve the real objective of this council, study must prepare the way for common work and the
services of institutes and offices working in this field should be sought if possible.
“(5) Where hierarchies of different rites are in existence in the same territory, it is strongly
recommended that where possible the pastoral council should be inter-ritual, that is, consisting of
clerics, religious and laity of the different rites.
“(6) The regulation of other matters is left to the free decision of the bishop, keeping in mind what is set
down in no.17.
“17. (1) In matters affecting the council of priests and the pastoral council and the relations of these
councils with each other and with the councils of the bishop established in virtue of existing law,
bishops, especially when they come together in conferences, should take counsel together and issue
common regulations for the dioceses of the territory.
“The bishops shall also see that all the councils of the diocese are co-ordinated as well as possible,
through precise definition of their competence, mutual participation of their members, through
common or continuing sessions or by other means.” (nos. 16-17, p. 601)
Instruction on Certain Questions Regarding Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred
Ministry of Priest (Ecclesiae de mysterio).
“Diocesan and parochial Pastoral Councils and parochial Finance Councils, of which non-ordained
faithful are members, enjoy a consultative vote only and cannot in any way become deliberative
structures. Only those faithful who possess the qualities prescribed by the canonical norms may be
elected to such responsibilities.
Sacred Congregation for Bishops, Directory on the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops (Ecclesiae imago, May 31,
1973)
“As regards effective organization for the work of caring for souls, besides the broader guidelines
mentioned above (cf. n. 176) the bishop shall consider that kind of parish best . . . in which laymen,
according to the office given them, take part in the parish pastoral council and take charge of works of
the apostolate proper to themselves.” (n. 179, p. 92).
“The pastoral council is a body set up to investigate and carefully consider whatever pertains to
diocesan pastoral activities and to arrive at practical conclusions to help the People of God pattern their
lives and actions more closely on the Gospel (CD 27; ES I, 16). By its study and reflection, the council
furnishes the judgments necessary to enable the diocesan community to plan its pastoral program
systematically and to fulfill it effectively. Although the pastoral council is not mandatory, it is highly
recommended.6 It is made up of clergy (deacons, therefore, being in no wise excepted), religious and
laity, specially chosen by the bishop (CD 27; ES I, 16).
“The council has only a consultative voice; nevertheless, the bishop has great respect for its
recommendations, for they offer his apostolic office the serious and settled cooperation of the
ecclesiastical community.
“To make the council’s work more effective, the bishop can order, if the good of the faithful requires it,
that in every parish, among the other offices of the apostolate, parish pastoral councils be set up and
that these be aligned with the diocesan council. These councils, grouped together according to areas,
could choose their representatives to serve on the diocesan council, so that the whole diocesan
community may feel that it is offering its cooperation to its bishop through the diocesan council.
“In order that the council may actually achieve this goal, it will be helpful if study precedes their
common deliberation; and if the case warrants, the help of institutes or offices that work in the field
may be used (ES I, 16; III, 4), as for example, the socio-religious office, the office for the means of social
communication, etc.” (n. 204, p. 105)
From Chapter Vl: Parishes, Pastors and Parochial Vicars
Can. 536. §1. After the diocesan bishop has listened to the presbyteral council and if he judges it
opportune. a pastoral council is to be established in each parish; the pastor presides over it, and through
it the Christian faithful along with those who share in the pastoral care of the parish in virtue of their
office give their help in fostering pastoral activity.
§2. This pastoral council possesses a consultative vote only and is governed by norms determined by the
diocesan bishop.
Can. 537. Each parish is to have a finance council which is regulated by universal law as well as by norms
issued by the diocesan bishop; in this council the Christian faithful, selected according to the same
norms, aid the pastor in the administration of parish goods with due regard for the prescription of can.
532.
Synod of Bishops (1987), “Synod 1987: The Synod Propositions,” Origins 17:29 (Dec. 31, 1987): 499-509.
“It is in the parish that most Catholics learn that they have been constituted as church (or a portion of
the church) and that, at the same time, they experience how to form the church. The collaboration of
clergy and men and women religious as well as laity is needed to achieve this. This collaboration
requires the consultation of the laity to determine the pastoral needs and aspirations of the community.
A more fitting way to reach this goal is the establishment of a pastoral council in which all can take part,
whatever their age or condition.” (proposition 10, p. 502)
Congregation for the Clergy, “The Priest, Pastor and Leader of the Parish Community.”
This “Instruction” from the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy was published on August 4, 2002 over the
signatures of Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos (Prefect of the Congregation) and by Csaba Ternyak
(Secretary of the Congregation and Titular Archbishop of Eminenziana). Pope John Paul II approved the
instruction and ordered its publication.
“All of the faithful have the right, sometimes even the duty, to make their opinions known on matters
concerning the good of the Church. This can happen through institutions which have been established to
facilitate that purpose: [...]the pastoral council can be a most useful aid…providing proposals and
suggestions on missionary, catechetical and apostolic initiatives [...] as well as on the promotion of
doctrinal formation and the sacramental life of the faithful; on the assistance to be given to the pastoral
work of priests in various social and territorial situations; on how better to influence public opinion
etc.”[124]. The pastoral council is to be seen in relation to the context of the relationship of mutual
service that exists between a parish priest and his faithful. It would therefore be senseless to consider
the pastoral council as an organ replacing the parish priest in his government of the parish, or as one
which, on the basis of a majority vote, materially constrains the parish priest in his direction of the
parish.
In accordance with the norms of law on just and honest administration, organs which have been
established to consider economic questions in a parish, may not constrain the pastoral role of the parish
priest, who is the legal representative and administrator of the goods of the parish [125].
Congregation for Bishops, Apostolorum successores, “Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops.”
181. Diocesan Pastoral Structures
In order to ensure that the curia is also equipped to direct apostolic work (535), it is good to establish
other offices or commissions, temporary or permanent, when there are sufficient resources available.
These offices have the task of carrying out diocesan programmes and examining various pastoral and
apostolic initiatives (such as those in the area of the family, education or the social apostolate). With the
aid of the presbyteral and pastoral councils of the diocese, the Bishop studies the proposals put forward
by these offices and makes the necessary decisions.
In order to determine which offices or commissions to establish, the Bishop will evaluate the particular
needs and the local customs of the diocese, applying the guidelines of the Holy See and the
recommendations of the Episcopal Conference. Whichever administrative model is adopted, it is
important to avoid establishing and maintaining atypical structures of government that somehow
replace or compete with those envisaged in canon law, since this would by no means promote the
efficacy of pastoral governance. There is a corollary at parish level: the pastoral council and the parish
priest should fulfil their respective roles effectively, avoiding any hint of congregationalism (536).
184. The Pastoral Council
Ideally, every diocese should establish a diocesan pastoral council, although not bound to do so by
canonical discipline, thus expressing through this institution the participation of all the faithful, of
whatever canonical state, in the Church’s mission. The pastoral council is composed of members of the
faithful: clerics, members of institutes of consecrated life and especially laity (556). It falls to the council,
under the authority of the Bishop, to “investigate and consider matters relating to pastoral activity and
to formulate practical conclusions” (557). Its statutes are established and, when necessary, modified by
the Bishop (558).
Even though the council does not, strictly speaking, represent the faithful, it should truly reflect the
entire portion of the People of God which constitutes the particular Church. Its members should be
chosen “with consideration given to the different areas of the diocese, social conditions and professions,
and the role which they have in the apostolate whether individually or jointly” (559).