“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). This command of Christ has inspired countless men and women throughout the Church’s history to give themselves to the work of spreading the Good News. The Second Vatican Council has repeated and renewed this mandate of the Lord, calling all members of the Church to involve themselves in witnessing to the Gospel.
As part of its renewal to the Church, the Council called for a number of new structures to promote active involvement and collaboration in the mission of the Church. After the Council, a new structure was proposed by the Church to call forth in an orderly fashion the insights and cooperation of persons at the level of the local community. That structure is the parish pastoral council.
The rationale for the parish pastoral council may be found in the Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church:
“By reason of the knowledge, competence, or pre-eminence which they have, the laity are empowered indeed sometimes obliged to manifest their opinion on those things which pertain to the good of the Church. If the occasion should arise this should be done through the institutions established by the Church for that purpose and always with truth, courage and prudence and with reverence and charity towards those who, by reason of their office represent the person of Christ.”1
The guidelines contained in this document flow from the Council’s insistence on the need for active participation by the laity in the life and mission of the Church. These guidelines are intended to enable pastors and parishioners to form effective and cohesive parish pastoral councils [PPC] in all the parishes of the Archdiocese of Boston.
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Promulgated at the Eighth Synod of the Archdiocese of Boston, November 27, 1988
Establishment of a parish pastoral council
Purpose and objectives of a parish pastoral council
Membership
Organization of a parish pastoral council
Scope and authority
Characteristics of a parish pastoral council
Relationship with the parish finance council
Relationship with parish commissions
1. “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church” (Lumen Gentium, 21 November 1964). Par. 37, p. 394-395.
Education in an essential ingredient for the successful establishment of a PPC and for the implementation of these guidelines. Education is necessary to promote the kind of cooperation between clergy and laity that is conducive to vital parish life. In order that a parish pastoral council promote that kind of parish life, clergy, religious and laity must have a well-grounded understanding of the nature and mission of the Church.
Education for the implementation of these guidelines should focus on the teaching of the Second Vatican Council. The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, and the Decree on the Laity are foundational documents for a proper understanding of the PPC. Seminars should also focus on the practical issues for developing and implementing a PPC. Education for PPC members should be an ongoing process which will enrich the work of these councils.
While the ongoing implementation of these guidelines is the responsibility of each parish, the Archdiocese must assist parishes in this implementation with seminars and training sessions for all who will be involved in the work of the PPC. These sessions, intended for clergy, religious and laity, will provide opportunities for spiritual renewal, understanding of the nature of the Church, and practical ways in which to organize and develop successful councils.