Guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils
Evangelizing Together: Together in Mission

FOREWARD BY BISHOP ORSMOND

Dear People of God

In the history of the Church in South Africa the Parish Pastoral Council is still a young entity, and its full impact as a consultative body to the pastor, committed to assisting him in the care of the parish through patient listening, prayer, and study has yet to be fully realized. Though we have come a long way since the days when the late Bishop Hugh Boyle, God rest him, introduced pastoral councils, we still have some way to go.

It gives me great pleasure to share with you the publication of these Guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils. Its arrival is most timely, as we move to firmly establish pastoral councils in every parish and at the same time establish Pastoral Councils for the regions of the Diocese. I look forward to the day when we will eventually have a Diocesan Pastoral Council where the voice of the People of God will be heard in full clarity.

At the foundation of Parish Pastoral Councils is the recognition that Christ calls all baptized people to share in His mission, and Parish Pastoral Councils present an opportunity for laity, religious and clergy to work together and support one another in a meaningful way to make the mission of Jesus a reality in our parish communities.

I envision the Parish Pastoral Council as a group of people, gathered round their pastor in Jesus' name for the purpose of unifying, coordinating and developing the parish in the light of the Pastoral Plan of the Church of South Africa and in terms of the overall mission of the Church which is to evangelize the world, bringing the Good News to every corner of our country.

I would encourage all parishes to see the Parish Pastoral Councils as an important and effective means for enabling collaborative responsibility to become part and parcel of daily parish life, and not only of parish life but of the life of the Diocese so that as the third millenium draws near we may be in fact a renewed and revitalized community.

Sincerely yours in Christ

Reginald J Orsmond
BISHOP OF JOHANNESBURG

Guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils

Table of Contents

To obtain a copy of the Guidelines please contact the Department of Evangelization - Diocese of Johannesburg or use our contact form to request a copy.