DIOCESE
OF ALLENTOWN
THE STATUTES OF THE DIOCESAN PASTORAL COUNCIL
PREAMBLE
The
Fathers of the Second Vatican Council expressed in the Dogmatic Constitution of
the Church, Lumen gentium that the new role of the laity is to be based upon the
dignity of their baptism. In this document a new way of thinking about the Church
is found: a way of thinking that stresses the collaborative efforts that should
exist among all the baptized, clerics and laypersons alike, to build up the Kingdom
of God on earth.
Guided by this "new way of thinking" and heeding
the advice offered by the Second Synod of the Diocese of Allentown, His Excellency,
The Most Reverend Edward P. Cullen, D.D., Third Bishop of Allentown, established
the first Diocesan Pastoral Council, on 10 December 2006. He charged the Council
with overseeing the implementation of the Synod, as one of its initial tasks.
To guide the work of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Bishop Cullen has promulgated
the following statutes.
ARTICLE
I NAME
The
official name shall be: "The Diocesan Pastoral Council of the Diocese of
Allentown."
ARTICLE
II PURPOSE
AND FUNCTIONS
Under the authority of the
Diocesan Bishop, the Diocesan Pastoral Council shall review, consider and propose
recommendations about those things, which pertain to the pastoral works in the
Diocese. (cf. Canon 511; also, Statute 1, 2006 Diocese of Allentown Synod Statutes)
ARTICLE
III MEMBERSHIP
A.
The Diocesan Pastoral Council is composed of members of Christ's
faithful who are in full communion
with the Catholic Church. (Canon 512 §1)
B. Those
designated as members are selected in such a way that they truly reflect the entire
portion of the people of
God, which constitutes the diocese. (Canon 512 §2)
C.
Those designated as members should be outstanding in firm faith,
good morals, and prudence
and
remain so as members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council. (Canon 512 §3)
D.
The members are appointed by decree of the Diocesan Bishop.
E.
Lay membership: Members of the lay faithful shall be chosen in such
a manner so as to be representative of the
demographic realities of the Diocese of Allentown.
F. Clerical
membership: the Diocesan Bishop shall designate at least one member of the clergy
from each deanery to membership on the
Diocesan Pastoral Council.
G. Ex officio membership:
The Vicar General shall be an ex officio member of the Diocesan
Pastoral Council.
H.
Term and renewal: The regular term of office for a member of the Diocesan Pastoral
Council
shall be three years. In the case of
the first appointment under these statutes, in order to assure
continuity,
approximately 1/3 of the members shall serve a term of two years; another 1/3
of
the members shall serve a three year
term, and another 1/3 of the members shall serve a four
year
term, as determined by lot at the inaugural meeting. No member shall serve
more than two
consecutive 3-year terms. Finally, the
Bishop of Allentown retains the right to remove any
member
from the Council for a just cause.
I. Vacancy: Vacancies on
the Diocesan Pastoral Council by reason of resignation, death, disability,
termination of office, or otherwise shall be filled in category
and term by appointment from the
Diocesan Bishop.
J.
Unexcused absences: After three unexcused absences, the absent member will be
considered to
have submitted his or her resignation
to the Diocesan Bishop.