The first legislation about the pastoral council appeared in the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
In 1983, a revision of the Code of Canon Law was published. It included six canons pertaining to pastoral and finance councils. Pastoral councils were recommended for both diocesan bishops and parish pastors.
John Paul II, Pope (Karol Wojtyla), Code of Canon Law, Latin-English Edition, Translation prepared under the auspices of the Canon Law Society of America (Washington, D.C.: Canon Law Society of America, 1983).
From Chapter V: The Pastoral Council
Can. 511. In each diocese, to the extent that pastoral circumstances recommend it, a pastoral council is to be established whose responsibility it is to investigate under the authority of the bishop all those things which pertain to pastoral works, to ponder them and to propose practical conclusions about them.
Can. 512. §1. The pastoral council consists of Christian faithful who are in full communion with the Catholic Church, clerics, members of institutes of consecrated life and especially lay persons, who are designated in a manner determined by the diocesan bishop.
§2. The Christian faithful who are appointed to the pastoral council are to be so selected that the entire portion of the people of God which constitutes the diocese is truly reflected, with due regard for the diverse regions, social conditions and professions of the diocese as well as the role which they have in the apostolate, either as individuals or in conjunction with others.
§3. No one except Christians of proven faith, good morals and outstanding prudence are to be appointed to the pastoral council.
Can. 513. §1. The pastoral council is to be established for a period of time according to the prescriptions of the statutes which are issued by the bishop.
§2. When the see is vacant the pastoral council ceases to exist.
Can. 514. §1. It pertains exclusively to the diocesan bishop to convoke the pastoral council according to the necessities of the apostolate and to preside over it; the pastoral council enjoys only a consultative vote; it is for the bishop alone to make public what has been done in the council.
§2. The pastoral council is to be convoked at least once a ycar.
From Chapter Vl: Parishes, Pastors and Parochial Vicars
Can. 536. §1. After the diocesan bishop has listened to the presbyteral council and if he judges it opportune. a pastoral council is to be established in each parish; the pastor presides over it, and through it the Christian faithful along with those who share in the pastoral care of the parish in virtue of their office give their help in fostering pastoral activity.
§2. This pastoral council possesses a consultative vote only and is governed by norms determined by the diocesan bishop.
Can. 537. Each parish is to have a finance council which is regulated by universal law as well as by norms issued by the diocesan bishop; in this council the Christian faithful, selected according to the same norms, aid the pastor in the administration of parish goods with due regard for the prescription of can. 532.
