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.
