What are Pastoral Councils?

[Txmoose]

Are there any church laws/directives on pastoral councils. I am interested in terms, authority, etc. Follow on question pertains to the direction, given by Bishops. In other words does it vary by state, district, diocese?

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

Code of Canon Law:

Can. 536 §1. If the diocesan bishop judges it opportune after he has heard the presbyteral council, a pastoral council is to be established in each parish, over which the pastor presides and in which the Christian faithful, together with those who share in pastoral care by virtue of their office in the parish, assist in fostering pastoral activity.

§2. A pastoral council possesses a consultative vote only and is governed by the norms established by the diocesan bishop.

Archdioese of Philadelphia:

The general function of the Parish Pastoral Council is to advise the Pastor in those pastoral matters presented to it by the Pastor. It carries out its function by:

1. Informing the Pastor of the needs and concerns, gifts and resources of the whole parish and its members;
2. Developing and reviewing a parish mission statement (which will always contain the name of Jesus) and periodically re-evaluating and revising it;
3. Developing a parish pastoral plan;
4. Participating in ongoing pastoral planning;
5. Recommending policies, procedures and programs which would assist in the implementation of the mission statement and the parish pastoral plan;
6. Reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of existing programs;
7. Reflecting on Archdiocesan pastoral priorities and recommending how they can be implemented in the parish.