STATUTE
1
A
Diocesan Pastoral Council shall be constituted according to the norm of universal
law. Its purpose shall be to investigate, consider and propose practical conclusions
about those things which pertain to the pastoral works in the Diocese as determined
in its bylaws.
Restructuring
and Consolidating Parishes
STATUTE
2
In fulfilling its purpose concerning the
restructuring and consolidation of any parish, the Diocesan Pastoral Council shall
consider the demographics of the Diocese, the ratio of priests to people, and
the present pastoral state and financial viability of each parish, with particular
attention given to its financial obligations toward Catholic schools. To all the
faithful it shall provide timely and accurate information concerning the restructuring
and consolidation of parishes.
STATUTE
3
Within
each Deanery, and where appropriate between Deaneries, the Vicar Forane shall
organize groupings of parishes subject to the review, modification and consent
of the Diocesan Bishop. The Vicar Forane is to be assisted by the pastors, parochial
vicars, and two representatives selected by the pastor of each parish. These groupings
of parishes shall be identified as Deanery Regions.
§1)
Each Deanery Region shall be represented by the pastors, parochial
vicars, and two representatives of each parish. The two representatives of each
parish shall be designated by their respective pastor.
§2)
The representatives of each Deanery Region shall make recommendations to the Diocesan
Pastoral Council regarding the restructuring and consolidation of parishes within
the Deanery Region.
STATUTE
4
The Diocesan Pastoral Council shall oversee
parish self-studies according to a model that it determines with the review, consent
and approval of the Diocesan Bishop. It shall review and present to the Diocesan
Bishop the recommendations developed by the parishes and regional groupings of
parishes along with their own observations. It shall act in accord with the norms
of universal and particular law in the proper disposition of sacred articles and
property.
Planning
the Fiscal Feasibility of Catholic Schools
STATUTE
5
The
Diocesan Pastoral Council shall review the organizational and governance structures
of primary and secondary Catholic schools in the Diocese of Allentown. The Diocesan
Pastoral Council is to develop recommendations regarding these structures for
submission to the Diocesan Bishop for his review, modification, and consent.
STATUTE
6
Using
the recommendations approved by the Diocesan Bishop, the Diocesan Pastoral Council
and the Secretariat for Catholic Education shall develop for primary and secondary
Catholic schools criteria for their viability and a comprehensive strategic plan
which addresses, but is not limited to:
§1)
Their location and number;
§2)
Open enrollment;
§3)
Tuition collection and management programs;
§4)
Parish guidelines for tuition assistance;
§5)
Internal and external funding sources such as bequests, endowments, scholarships,
charitable grants, school vouchers and tax credits.
§6)
What ordinarily are minimum enrollment levels and maximum subsidy levels.
STATUTE
7
When
a school is found to be non-viable according to the criteria, a process approved
by the Diocesan Bishop shall be implemented for its reorganization, consolidation
or closure.
STATUTE
8
Should
the Diocesan Pastoral Council determine that there is an urgent and serious need
to consolidate or close a school before the full implementation of Diocesan Statutes,
they shall expeditiously make a recommendation to the Diocesan Bishop using whatever
process that they deem appropriate.
STATUTE
9
The
faithful in each parish shall be informed of the actual per pupil cost of education
in each of the primary and secondary schools.
Strengthening
Catholic Family Life
STATUTE
10
Diocesan
and parish ministries shall be guided by the principles of the documents published
by the Holy See and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops concerning
a family perspective in Church and society.
STATUTE
11
A
comprehensive Diocesan plan shall be developed to provide catechetical, formational,
pastoral and spiritual support for living the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony in all
its aspects.
§1)The
plan shall include a component for the evaluation of current and proposed programs.
§2)
Opportunities shall be provided for parents and guardians to further their formation,
education, and understanding of Catholic teaching regarding the meaning of marital
love, sexuality, and other family life issues so that they may better inculcate
Catholic values in their children.
STATUTE
12
Diocesan,
parish, and Catholic school activities and events should be scheduled in such
a way that enables families to experience Catholic worship and prayer as their
priority in family life.
STATUTE
13
Clergy
and laity who serve in diocesan and parish ministries are to further their education
in order to enhance their knowledge and to improve their skills to preach, evangelize,
and teach Catholic doctrines concerning marriage and family life.
STATUTE
14
Effective
methods of communication are to be developed and utilized to promote the Diocesan
programs, resources, and services that support and strengthen Catholic teaching
regarding marriage and family life.
Evangelizing
Youth and Young Adults
STATUTE
15
Every
parish should create an atmosphere which welcomes and involves its parishioners,
with particular concern for youth and young adults.
STATUTE
16
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry should be
structured to provide direct services to parishes, youth, and young adult organizations.
STATUTE
17
The
Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization shall conduct a study and review
of Diocesan youth ministry to determine how best to provide direct services. The
study shall include but not be limited to the:
§1)
Feasibility of Diocesan, Deanery Region, and parish Youth Advisory Boards;
§2)
Most suitable location for the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry;
§3)
Feasibility of salaried Youth Ministers at the Deanery Region or parish level.
STATUTE
18
Youth
ministers, whether on a Diocesan or parish level, should be certified in accord
with the current standards for Youth Ministers published by the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops.
STATUTE
19
The
Catholic Youth Organization shall be enabled by the Office of Youth and Young
Adult Ministry to assist in the developmental needs of our youth by teaching Gospel
values and the mission of Jesus Christ through principles of teamwork and fair
play, socialization skills, and intellectual and spiritual development.
STATUTE
20
The
Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry shall assist Deaneries and Deanery Regions
to establish young adult groups for those between the ages of 18 and 35. These
groups should serve to welcome young adults and to integrate them into parish
life and the life of the Diocesan and Universal Church.
Ensuring
Effective Catechetical Programs
STATUTE
21
A
Diocesan Commission for Catechesis shall be established to assure a continuum
of catechetical programs for the faithful of the Diocese. These programs shall
be in accord with the standards published by the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops.
STATUTE
22
The
Commission shall assure the harmony and coordination of all catechetical programs
under the auspices of the Secretariat for Catholic Education and the Secretariat
for Catholic Life and Evangelization.
STATUTE
23
The continuum of catechetical programs
will:
§1)
Include all faith formation at the elementary, secondary, university, young adult,
and adult levels;
§2)
Integrate all aspects of faith formation such as the sacred liturgy, the sacraments,
family life, evangelization, and charitable works;
§3)
Inform parents of their rights and obligations concerning the faith formation
of their children.
STATUTE
24
The Commission will review and recommend to the
Diocesan Bishop for approval standards for Diocesan faith formation programs and
standards for the training and qualification of catechists.
Cultivating
and Promoting Candidates for Holy Orders
and the Consecrated Life
STATUTE
25
The
Office of Vocations shall encourage all the faithful of the Diocese to pray for
vocations to Holy Orders and the Consecrated Life.
§1)
It will facilitate the formation of parish vocations committees.
§2)
It will identify the appropriate occasions, frequency, and form of parish liturgical
and para-liturgical prayer for vocations.
STATUTE
26
A
Diocesan priest will serve as Director of Vocations, ordinarily as his primary
assignment. When feasible, he may be assisted by a representative from a community
of religious women who serve in the Diocese.
§1)The
Director of Vocations should work closely with vocations directors of the various
religious communities of men and women as well as with those groups and associations
which are devoted to the promotion of vocations to Holy Orders and the Consecrated
Life.
§2)
A Diocesan Vocations Advisory Committee shall be established to assist the Director
of Vocations. The Director of Vocations shall chair the committee.
STATUTE
27
A
diocesan web-page devoted to the promotion and recruitment of vocations shall
be maintained within the Diocesan web-site. Diocesan offices, parishes and schools
with web-pages shall provide a link to the vocations web-page.