What is the Presbyteral Council?

What is the Presbyteral Council?

• A. A group of lay professionals advising the bishop
• B. A group of priests who assist and advise the diocesan bishop
• C. A council of bishops from multiple dioceses
• D. A financial oversight committee of priests

Answer: (B)

In canon law, the Presbyteral Council is a body of presbyters (priests) within a diocese who assist and advise the diocesan bishop in governing the diocese. Its role is to provide counsel on major governance matters, such as policies, the assignment of priests, and the preparation or evaluation of candidates for ordination, helping the bishop discern and decide on diocesan decisions. Membership is made up of the diocesan priests, and the bishop presides over the council. This is not a group of lay professionals, nor is it a council of bishops from other dioceses (that would describe a broader episcopal conference). It also isn’t a financial oversight committee, which would be a different body with a separate focus. The key idea is that the council brings together the diocesan presbytery to advise and assist the bishop in managing the diocese.

In canon law, the Presbyteral Council is a body of presbyters (priests) within a diocese who assist and advise the diocesan bishop in governing the diocese. Its role is to provide counsel on major governance matters, such as policies, the assignment of priests, and the preparation or evaluation of candidates for ordination, helping the bishop discern and decide on diocesan decisions. Membership is made up of the diocesan priests, and the bishop presides over the council.

This is not a group of lay professionals, nor is it a council of bishops from other dioceses (that would describe a broader episcopal conference). It also isn’t a financial oversight committee, which would be a different body with a separate focus. The key idea is that the council brings together the diocesan presbytery to advise and assist the bishop in managing the diocese.