Priesthood

De Sacerdotio ministeriali

Synod of Bishops (Nov. 30, 1971), “The Ministerial Priesthood,” De Sacerdotio ministeriali, reprinted in James I. O’Connor, editor, The Canon Law Digest, Vol. VII: Officially Published Documents Affecting the Code of Canon Law 1968-1972 (Chicago: Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus, 1975), pp. 342-366.

“The pastoral council, in which specially chosen clergy, religious and laity have part (cf. Decr. on Past. Off. of Bps., n. 27), by its study and consideration should provide the necessary conclusions so that the diocesan community may be able to arrange its pastoral program systematically and carry it out effectively.

“The more the co-responsibility of bishops and priests, especially through priests’ councils, increases day by day, the more desirable it is that a pastoral council be established in the individual dioceses.” (Part 2, II, section 3, “Relations between priests and lay persons,” p. 364)