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Ngā Kaunihera a Parihe - Pastoral Councils

A Pastoral Council

[The People of God] possess in common one salvation, one hope and one undivided charity. Because of the one dignity flowing from Baptism, each member of the lay faithful, together with ordained ministers and men and women religious, shares a responsibility for the Church's mission.”

Christifideles Laici, 15. (On the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful), Pope John Paul II, 1988.

Since the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II), the Diocese of Auckland has operated with pastoral councils.

Pastoral councils are a recognition of the role of the laity; to collaborate with the clergy in shared responsibility for the total welfare of all the faithful throughout the diocese. Pastoral councils serve the mission of Christ by providing pastoral and spiritual care for their people.

The Bishop has a Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC). Its members are elected and appointed from the regions, Maori and Ethnic communities, youth, religious and the Council of Priests.

Parish Pastoral Councils are distinct from Finance Committees. The primary concerns of Pastoral Councils are the pastoral and spiritual needs of the people. The Finance Committee advises the Pastoral Council of the financial implications of such decisions and help the Pastoral Council budget and manage the finances.

In 1971 it became mandatory for each parish in the Diocese of Auckland to have a parish pastoral council. The Parish Pastoral Council is not a body of representatives but a representative body whose primary function is to set the vision and plan to make “the life and activity of the parish ever more closely conform to the gospel.” Their focus is on the pastoral aspect of the parish. Members of the parish pastoral council work collaboratively with the parish priest to set the vision, plan the missionary endeavors and enable their community of faith to proclaim the message of Jesus.

CDA Pastoral Council Guidelines Expand

Parish Pastoral Councils [PPC] are mandatory in the Auckland Diocese and these guidelines are issued to assist parishes become what Pope Francis describes as ‘the presence of God in a given territory, an environment in hearing God’s word, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship and celebration.     

The Guidelines offer a framework of principles, procedures and practical ideas for effective collaboration and co-operation between the clergy and the lay faithful in shared responsibility for leading the parish.

You can download the Guidelines PPC guidelines 2024

Throughout the Guidelines references are made to useful material available to download.

    • Outline of Parish Profile.    p.6 & 22
    • Reviewing Parish Mission Activity.  p. 6 & 24
    • The importance of prayer for the PPC.   p.7
    • Ideas for installation of the PPC.    p.10 & 2
    • Overview of process for Spiritual Conversations    p.18
The Diocesan Pastoral Council Expand

“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.  ”Canon 511, Code of Canon Law, 1983

The Diocesan Pastoral Council is the Bishop’s Pastoral Council.  Regional and community representatives from across the diocese meet four times a year.  The DPC provides Bishop Pat advice, suggestions and feedback concerning diocesan pastoral ministry.  It is a consultative body.

  • Each of six regions is represented by both a man and a woman who serve for a maximum of two terms (six years).
  • The religious of the diocese have a man and a woman representative.
  • The Council of Priests has a representative.
  • Young people have two representatives.
  • Maori are represented by two members; one from Te Tai Tokerau and the other from Tamaki Makaurau.
  • Five representatives are nominated by ethnic chaplains to serve the same terms as the elected regional members.

The DPC meets with the Bishop quarterly on a Saturday. The meeting includes formation sessions, liturgy, reports from various regions and communities as well as consultation by the bishop with councilors.

 

Members DPC June 2020

DPC members with Bishop Michael June 2020

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