New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law

Establishment and Purpose of a Pastoral Council

Canon 511 – In every diocese and to the extent that pastoral circumstances suggest it, a pastoral council is to be constituted which under the authority of the bishop investigates, considers, and proposes practical conclusions about those things which pertain to pastoral works in the diocese.

The council is to investigate, consider, and propose practical conclusions in relation to the pastoral works of the diocese. In the coordination of the pastoral activity of a diocese, these three functions are usually components of what is referred to as “pastoral planning”.

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 to 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. (n. 9)

Canon 512 –1. A pastoral council consists of members of the Christian faithful who are in full communion with the Catholic Church – clerics, members of institutes of consecrated life, and especially laity – who are designated in a manner determined by the diocesan bishop.

2. The Christian faithful who are designated to a pastoral council are to be selected in such a way that they truly reflect the entire portion of the people of God which constitutes the diocese, 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 joined with others.

3. No one except members of the Christian faithful outstanding in firm faith, good morals, and prudence is to be designated to a pastoral council.

Members are to be drawn from the whole range of Christian faithful. They are to be in full communion with the Catholic Church (c. 205).

The c council is not representative in the sense that its membership is based on the size of the population of a given area or component of the diocese, or in the sense that members represent constituents and their vested interests. The council is to reflect the membership of the diocese as a whole rather than being representative of its various parts. The council should be a microcosm of the diocese.

Canon 513 – 1. A pastoral council is constituted for a period of time according to the prescripts of the statutes which are issued by the bishop.

2. When the see is vacant, a pastoral council ceases.

Canon 514 – 1. A pastoral council possesses only a consultative vote. It belongs to the diocesan bishop alone to convoke it according to the needs of the apostolate and to preside over it; it also belongs to him alone to make public what has been done in the council.

2. The pastoral council is to be convoked at least once a year.

The pastoral council has been consistently viewed as a consultative rather than a deliberative body.

Parish Pastoral Council

Canon 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, assis5t in fostering pastoral activity.

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

The current universal law does not require its establishment, but allows the diocesan bishop to require it in all the parishes of his diocese after he has heard the presbyteral council

The pastor presides over the pastoral council. The council assists the pastor in fostering pastoral activity, possesses a consultative vote only, and is governed by norms established by the diocesan bishop.