DIOCESAN PASTORAL ADVISORY COUNCIL Statutes Advising the Bishop of the Local Church Diocese of Toledo Revised: January 2007
ADVISING THE BISHOP OF THE LOCAL CHURCH The canon law of the Catholic Church calls for a diocesan pastoral council. It belongs to the diocesan bishop alone to convoke [the pastoral council] according to the needs of the apostolate and to preside over it. (Canon 514 1) A diocesan 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) The Diocesan Pastoral Advisory Council (DPAC) will consist 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. (Canon 512 1) Members of the Diocesan Pastoral Advisory Council will 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. (Canon 512 2) Committed to such precepts, the diocese created a new structure to replace the former Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) and Toledo Diocesan Assembly (TDA). The Diocesan Pastoral Advisory Council (DPAC), initiated in 1999, includes priests, deacons, women religious, and laity to provide the representation and expertise that the bishop seeks. DPAC is designed to be one of the bishop s functional, representative, advisory bodies regarding the faith life and development of the Diocese of Toledo. 2
DIOCESAN PASTORAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MISSION The Diocesan Pastoral Advisory Council is a consultative body which assists the diocesan bishop in setting the direction and vision for pastoral ministry in our diocese. The Diocesan Pastoral Advisory Council engages in diocesan planning processes which may include assessment, development of strategies, and evaluation. As it prays and works to carry out its mission, the Council will promote and model collaboration, collegiality, cooperation, and community. 3
MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL Composition of the Diocesan Pastoral Advisory Council: The diocesan bishop Lay persons (one representing each deanery) A priest A woman religious A deacon At-large representatives (up to five)* *At-large members should be appointed to better represent the cultural diversity of the diocese and Catholic institutions such as hospitals and schools. Terms of Membership: Members of the Diocesan Pastoral Advisory Council are appointed to a single term of five years. Members may not serve two consecutive five-year terms. Staggered terms are maintained in order to enhance the effectiveness of the council. 4
Leadership of the Council: The Diocesan Pastoral Advisory Council shall include an executive committee to provide necessary leadership, oversight, and assistance to enable the council to effectively carry out its mission. Members of the council s executive committee include the diocesan bishop, the chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary. The chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary are elected by the full council annually and may be re-elected to the executive committee until their council terms expire. Election of Officers: At the third meeting of the year (summer), the chairperson appoints two members of the council to serve as a nominating committee. The nominating committee solicits nominees and presents a slate of candidates for election at the fourth (fall) meeting. Terms of office commence with the first (winter) meeting of the following year. Responsibilities of the Officers: The chairperson works with the diocesan bishop and other members of the executive committee to establish meeting agendas and presides at all meetings of the council. The chairperson will inform the episcopal vicar when vacancies occur. In addition, the chairperson may serve as the representative of the council to other diocesan organizations and institutions. The vice chairperson assists the chairperson as needed. In the chairperson s absence, the vice chairperson presides at meetings of the council. The vice chairperson shall assume the chairperson s duties and carry out the responsibilities through the end of the term in the event of a vacancy in the chairperson s position. The secretary is responsible for documenting action taken at council meetings, distributing information, maintaining the membership roster, and performing fiduciary tasks as needed. 5
QUALIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE A person of the Catholic faith who is in full communion with the Church: Participates regularly in Catholic community worship. Belongs to a parish and is active in parochial and diocesan events. Prayerful and faithful to our Roman Catholic tradition. A person who has a sense of diocese and of parish : Exhibits an ecumenical vision. Understands the structure of the diocese beyond one s own parish. Promotes appropriate shared responsibility for the mission of the Church. Fosters a sense of community among parish, deanery, and diocese. A person of insight and leadership: Critical thinker. Empowering leadership skills. Able and willing to assume responsibility and lead others. A person of responsibility and willingness to commit the time needed to serve: Follows through on commitment. Balances family, work, and parish involvement. Serves the parish or diocese in various capacities. A person with planning abilities and experiences: Carefully evaluates issues. Able to formulate or design priorities, goals, and policies which represent the mission of the parish or diocese. 6
A person of vision: Creative and open minded. Has vision for the future of the parish and the diocese. Open to the power of the Holy Spirit. Can recognize the gifts and talents of others. Exhibits a positive attitude. A person willing to listen, learn, and teach: Keeps confidences. Able to change and grow in light of life experiences. Listens actively and offers suggestions and ideas. Is sensitive to others. Builds consensus and is collaborative. Promotes communication and understanding. Initiates dialogue and asks appropriate questions. A person who is not an employee of a diocesan office. 7
NOMINATION OF COUNCIL MEMBERS Deanery Representative: Each dean is responsible for identifying up to three laypersons for nomination who meet the qualifications outlined in this handbook. Priest Representative: The Priests Council is responsible for identifying up to three priests for nomination. Women Religious Representative: The five major superiors within the diocese are responsible for identifying up to three religious women for nomination. Deacon Representative: The executive committee of the Deacons Council is responsible for identifying up to three deacons for nomination. At-Large Representative(s): At-large positions, when needed or desired, will be filled after the above representative positions are filled. The DPAC executive committee will work with the diocesan bishop and appropriate diocesan personnel to fill at-large positions. 8
APPOINTMENT OF NEW MEMBERS The DPAC chairperson tracks terms of members and is often the point of contact when members resign. When a position becomes open: The chairperson notifies the episcopal vicar of the vacant position. The episcopal vicar contacts the appropriate dean (or equivalent for priests, women religious, and deacons) to request nominees for the vacancy. The dean (or equivalent) solicits nominations for the representative position. The dean (or equivalent) submits the name(s) of the nominee(s) to the bishop. The diocesan bishop, in consultation with the executive committee, appoints all members to the council. The Office of the Bishop will send a letter of appointment and Diocesan Pastoral Advisory Council information to the new appointee and notifies the chairperson that the opening is filled. The chairperson notifies the council secretary who adds the new member to the roster. 9
MEETINGS There are usually four meetings scheduled per year. The first meeting of the year is in winter and the last of the year is in the fall. Typically, meetings are held in March, May, August, and October. After consulting the bishop s calendar, the executive committee schedules the meetings for the year and determines meeting times and locations. Additional meetings may be added at the request of the diocesan bishop, the executive committee, or the council as a body. FOSTERING COMMUNICATION Linking the diocesan bishop with the distinct groups which minister in our local church is an important role of the Diocesan Pastoral Advisory Council. Relationship to Parishes: Laypersons appointed to the council to represent specific deaneries will serve as the primary link between the council and each parish. It is recommended that deanery representatives meet with parish leaders regularly to convey goals, gather information, and listen to the plans, hopes, and concerns of members of the local church. Participating in regularly scheduled deanery meetings is one way to accomplish this. Deanery representatives can create an additional channel of communication between parishes/parishioners and the diocesan bishop through interaction with liaisons from the parishes in the deanery. 10
Relationship to Priests: The priests representative to the council will serve as the liaison between the priests throughout the diocese and the council. Relationship to Women Religious: The council representative for women religious will serve as the liaison between the women religious throughout the diocese and the council. If necessary, the council representative will meet with each major superior. Relationship to Deacons: The deacons representative to the council will serve as the liaison between the deacons through the diocese and the council. If necessary, the representative can be appointed to the deacons council. Relationship to Bishop s Cabinet: As an advisory body to the bishop, the council s deliberations and recommendations are made known to the bishop s cabinet by the bishop himself as he deems necessary. 11
* * * SUMMATION Serving on the Diocesan Pastoral Advisory Council provides two unique opportunities for those who are involved as members. First, the privilege of meeting with the diocesan bishop on a regular basis affords an experience of sharing and exchanging ideas and concerns. It also provides lay members of the deaneries with the opportunity to become more aware of diocesan activities and goals while enabling the bishop to become more closely involved with the activities and goals of the individual deaneries. This experience results in a more hands on experience for both the diocesan bishop and the deanery representatives. Second, the meetings of the DPAC are scheduled at various sites throughout the diocese. Council members volunteer to host a meeting at their home parishes; therefore, meetings geographically cover most of the diocese. These meetings also provide an opportunity for the council to pray together through prepared prayer services and for fellowship after the meeting. This experience helps promote a deeper sense of church and community in the diocese and allows DPAC members to gain a broader perspective of the Church beyond their own parish and deanery. Approved: The Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, S.T.D. Date: Very Reverend Marvin G. Borger, J.C.L. Chancellor 12