Canonically-Defined Diocesan Consultative Bodies

CONSULTATIVE GENERAL DESCRIPTION MEMBERSHIP EXISTENCE BODY

The college of assists the diocesan in the governance of The college of consultors is a required the in accord with the The college is comprised of no less than body in the diocese. It is to be 1. COLLEGE OF provisions of Church . For six priests, and no more than twelve, established for a five-year term, but it CONSULTORS particular exercises of ecclesiastical who are members of the presbyteral continues its functions even after that (c. 502) governance, law requires that the council. time until a new college is constituted. consult the college, It continues in existence during a and even obtain its consent. When the vacant or impeded see. see is vacant, the college assumes the functions of the presbyteral council.

The diocesan pastoral council consists The purpose of the diocesan pastoral of members of the Christian faithful The pastoral council is established by council is to follow the  who are in with the the diocesan bishop when, in his Church. These , members of judgement, pastoral circumstances 2. DIOCESAN direction in investigating all things institutes of , and recommend it. It is to be established PASTORAL COUNCIL which pertain to the pastoral works of especially lay persons are named to the for a definite period of time, during (cc. 511-514) the diocese. Following its council in a manner approved by the which it is convoked at least once a investigation, the council studies the information it has gathered and then diocesan bishop. The council's year. The council goes out of proposes practical conclusions membership as a whole should be existence at the completion of its term, concerning it. reflective of the people of God who and whenever the see is vacant. make up the diocese.

In iure members: the coadjutor and auxiliary bishops of the diocese; vicars general, episcopal vicars and the ; cathedral canons; members of the presbyteral council, lay members of the Christian faithful and The diocesan bishop makes the determination to convoke the The synod assists the diocesan bishop members of institutes of consecrated when circumstances warrant it, and in matters pertaining to the entire life; the of the diocesan major following consultation with the diocesan community. The consultation seminary; the vicars forane; at least one presbyteral council. The diocesan rendered by the members may lead to priest from each vicariate, as well as a 3. DIOCESAN SYNOD bishop may suspend or dissolve the the issuance of declarations or the designated alternate; and some (cc. 460-468) synod. The synod is interrupted ipso of . The synod's superiors of religious institutes and iure when the see becomes vacant or consultative functions are utilized societies of apostolic life which have a impeded, and remains interrupted until solely at the discretion of the diocesan house in the diocese. the succeeding diocesan bishop bishop. At the bishops discretion: determines by to continue or  terminate it. As members Other clerics, members of institutes of consecrated life, or lay faithful. As observers Ministers or members of other churches or ecclesial communities.

The episcopal council assists the 4. EPISCOPAL diocesan bishop in fostering the more The council is composed of the vicars The council is established solely at the COUNCIL suitable pastoral activity within the general and the episcopal vicars within discretion of the diocesan bishop to (c. 473, 4) diocese. It achieves this end by  the diocese. meet particular pastoral needs. assisting in the coordination of the work of the diocesan vicars.

The finance council exists to advise the diocesan bishop on financial matters affecting the diocese. Among its The finance council is composed of at least three members of the Christian primary duties are to approve the The existence of the finance council is 5. FINANCE faithful who must each be well skilled annual diocesan fiscal statement and to required by Church law. There is no COUNCIL in financial and secular legal matters, prepare the annual budget. provision in law for its cessation (cc. 492-494) and be of outstanding integrity. The requires that the bishop consult the during a vacant or impeded see. finance council in many instances, and bishop appoints the members of the in some cases, it requires that he obtain council to five-year renewable terms. the members consent before acting. 

In accord with the norms of canon law, The diocesan bishop convokes the the presbyteral council acts as a senate presbyteral council, whose existence is mandated for each diocese. The of the bishop assisting him in the The presbyteral council is comprised of council ceases its functions when the governance of the diocese so that the representative members of the diocesan see is vacant. However, within a year pastoral welfare of the people of God presbyterate, who are to named for a of taking possession of the diocese, may be more effectively achieved. term. Half of the members should be 6. PRESBYTERAL the succeeding bishop is required to Consultation with the presbyteral elected by the presbyterate, the COUNCIL reestablish the council. The diocesan council is at the discretion of the remainder should be comprised of ex (cc. 495-501) bishop may dissolve the council for diocesan bishop. The diocesan bishop is officio members (according to the serious reasons only, and after required, however, to seek the advice of councils own ), and members the council in matters of greater  consultation with the metropolitan importance, and to obtain its explicit named by the diocesan bishop. bishop (or senior , if it is a question of the metropolitan sees consent in those instances stipulated in  Church law. presbyteral council).